Malachi An Original Bible Study

Malachi An Original Bible Study

Janice Rhodes Casey Marben Bland

A 4-Week Guide to Personal Transformation Words of Introduction The book of Malachi was written during the post-exilic Persian period of time, after the rebuilding of the temple in 516 B.C., almost a century earlier. While the people had enjoyed renewed revival at first, the culture has now turned into widespread religious decline and apathy.

Malachi, whose name means God’s messenger, is the final prophet of the Old Testament who relays to the people this all-important message of God. Using literary and rhetorical devices such as alliteration (2:10-14), anthropomorphism (3:3, 5, 10), hyperbole (4:1) and rhetorical questioning (1:2), the book is a no-nonsense read. Throughout the short 4chapter book, God makes a claim, the people disagree, and God gives His response. After this Old Testament book there is a 400-year intertestamental period where God is silent. Then we begin the New Testament with the book of Matthew and the revelation of much of the prophecy of Malachi.

In prophetic style, the book goes from an emphasis on judgment to salvation, with the final word of Malachi telling how we are to respond to God’s law, not whether to do so.

As such, this is arguably the most instructive book of the Bible for the church today, only behind the Acts of the Apostles. It’s similarities to the people of today make it easily relatable and informative. A careful study of the themes that are presented will most definitely cause one to be reflective of personal slights towards God and light an internal desire to change our way of thinking and acting.

Let’s get started by exploring in-depth, each of the following themes of the book: God’s Love The Corrupt Leadership Poor Stewardship of the People The Coming of the Lord.

Table of Contents Theme 1 God’s Love Chapter 1 Theme 2 The Corrupt Leadership Chapter 2 Theme 3 Poor Stewardship of the People Relationships – Chapter 2:10-17 Social Justice – Chapter 3:4-7 Tithes and Offerings – Chapter 3: 8-12

Theme 4 The Coming of the Lord Chapter 3:1-4, 13-18, 4:1-6

God’s Love Commentary God can at times be very direct and straightforward. He tells the Old Testament Israelites through His messenger Malachi just what He wants them to know about His love for them and it is a lesson we can certainly apply to our lives because in many ways we are just like those people of old, doing the same shameful things.

From this text in chapter 1 of Malachi we are bluntly reminded that the full acceptance of God’s love is for our own good, and not only does He want us to embrace His love, but He expects us to show our love in return through our obedience and our actions. However, there are some hard things to know about God’s love.

1.It is sometimes hard to fathom—hard to understand—seemingly out of sync for a God whose character is love.

2.It is very demanding – some may say God is downright arrogant.

3.It is never just for us, but always to be shared with and passed on to others.

Reflective Question The most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, tells of God’s love for the world and the subsequent actions that occur because of His love. How is this first chapter of Malachi a reminder that love is the most important thing in any relationship but must be accompanied by kindred actions?

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Malachi Chapter 1 NRSV An oracle. The word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi

Israel Preferred to Edom 2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” says the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, 3 but I have hated Esau; I have made his hill country a desolation and his heritage a desert for jackals.

4 If Edom says, ‘We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,’ the Lord of hosts says: They may build, but I will tear down, until they are called the wicked country, the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.

5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, ‘Great is the Lord beyond the borders of Israel!’ ” Corruption of the Priesthood 6 A son honors his father and a servant his master.

If then I am a father, where is the honor due me?

And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. You say, “How have we despised your name?”

7 By offering polluted food on my altar. And you say, “How have we polluted it?”[b] By thinking that the Lord’s table may be despised.

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8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not wrong? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not wrong? Try presenting that to your governor; will he be pleased with you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.

9 And now implore the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. The fault is yours. Will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts.

10 Oh, that someone among you would shut the temple[c] doors, so that you would not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hands.

11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name and a pure offering, for my name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted and its food[d] may be despised.

13 “What a weariness this is,” you say, and you sniff at it,[e] says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.

14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in the flock and vows to give it and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished, for I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name is reverenced among the nations.

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Questions 1. Can the Almighty God really hate someone? If not, why does He say He hates Esau?

2. Why did God clearly show favoritism to Jacob and find it necessary to remind the Israelites of this favoritism here?

3. Are the people giving God their best sacrifices? Who is held responsible that the altar is defiled and the Lord’s table contemptible?

4. Do the people’s actions show reverence for and honor to God? Are they excused from doing so because the priests are corrupt?

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5. God Almighty is as a jealous God. How do we see this in verse 8?

6. Why would God rather the doors of the church be closed than offer half-hearted, vain worship?

Where else in the Bible does God speak of lukewarm worshippers?

7. Do the people feel like it is a burden to worship God properly? Is their love for God sincere? How do we mimic this in our own worship today?

8. The final verse of chapter 1 alludes to a curse on the disobedience of the people. How then, would embracing God’s true love, and showing Him honor heal them of such a curse?

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The Corrupt Leadership Commentary “To whom much is given, much is required.” The priest or person of God is God’s messenger and people often seek their instruction from this person.

This is a huge responsibility and must not be taken lightly. God gave this special call to Levi and made a covenant with him that he would be a priest and that through his bloodline would come the priests that would minister to the Israelites. Levi was a man of integrity that honored God with much reverence.

Because of His fervent worship, God bestowed upon him this honor, but in the years of Malachi the priests were not honoring the covenant. They still had the great responsibility to guide and instruct the people, but they were not doing so in the obedience and righteousness of God. They were accepting substandard offerings, lame, and defiled animals as sacrifices. They were not instructing the people regarding their sin and caused many to stumble. God is telling them that a curse will come upon them and their descendants if they do not change. They would be humiliated and despised before the people.

Reflective Question Have many modern-day clergy persons followed the way of the priests that Malachi is speaking to by becoming corrupt and not following God’s requirements for carrying out their responsibilities to the people?

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Malachi 2:1-8 NRSV And now, O priests, this command is for you.

2 If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings; indeed, I have already cursed them[a] because you do not lay it to heart.

3 I will rebuke your offspring and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and I will put you out of my presence.[b] 4 Know, then, that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the Lord of hosts.

5 My covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.

6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.

7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

8 But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, 7

Questions 1. Why do you think the priests accepted blemished, blind, and lame animals as sacrifices from the people?

2. What are the responsibilities that God has placed on the priests?

3. Are today’s clergy to consider themselves descendants of Levi? If not, where does their call come from?

4. Should the priests bear the brunt of the people’s sin?

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5. There is much controversy today concerning church leadership. How can we tell who is right and wrong?

6. How does the issue of females in the clergy complicate things or does it?

7. Do clergy persons today show favoritism among the people who support them?

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Poor Stewardship of the People Commentary Stewardship is the managing of something put into your care. God’s people of Malachi’s day were told in no uncertain terms that they were poor stewards. Specifically God names three areas where they were failing. Ironically, this was not new. Their forefathers had the same issues. They were poor stewards of their relationships, in social justice, and in giving back to God through tithes and offerings.

God had told them before and reiterated here in Malachi that these were important issues that He would not relent from. They had to be good stewards in these spaces in order to please God. Showing love and respect in relationships, especially difficult ones set the bar high for others who were looking at the Jews. Looking out for the fatherless, widows, and the poor showed the kindness and care of God, and then their willingness to give to God showed their trust and faith.

Let’s take a look at each of these important areas of stewardship in order to gauge how our own standing.

Reflective Question Do you measure up to God’s benchmark for stewardship?

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Malachi 2:10-17 NRSV

10 Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors? 11 Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 12 For the one who does this, may the Lord cut off any witness[a] or advocate from the tents of Jacob or anyone who could bring an offering to the Lord of hosts.

13 And this you do as well: You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor at your hand.

14 You ask, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did God[a] not make them one, flesh with spirit in it? And what does the one desire?

Godly offspring. So look to yourselves, and do not let anyone be faithless to the wife of his youth.[b] 16 For I hate[c] divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel, and covering one’s garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So take heed to yourselves and do not be faithless.

17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?

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Questions 1. How do the Ten Commandments visibly show God’s emphasis on the way we treat each other?

2. What role does divorce play in corrupting God’s people?

Malachi 3:4-7 NRSV Social Justice 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, as in the days of old and as in former years.

5 Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

6 For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished. 7 Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.

But you say, “How shall we return?”

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Questions 1. Malachi only reiterates God’s sentiments regarding the treatment of the poor, the marginalized, and underprivileged. What other scriptures bear out God’s feelings?

2. How is sin connected to social injustice?

Malachi 3:8-12 NRSV Tithes and Offerings Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, “How are we robbing you?” In your tithes and offerings! 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me—the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. 11 I will rebuke the locust[a] for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

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Questions 1. Some people believe that the tithe is outdated because it was first instituted in the Old Testament. Is the tithe still a requirement today?

2. How are we cursed for not giving back to God? Do charities count?

3. Does the prosperity gospel accurately line up with this passage in Malachi?

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The Coming of the Lord

Commentary Judgement Day is coming. While it will be a great day for those whose souls are adequately prepared, it will be a sad day for others. Elijah the Prophet is referenced here by Malachi as the one whose job it is to make sure that the people are prepared for the coming of the Lord. We realize that John the Baptist is the Elijah that he was referring to. The prophecy of Malachi was partially fulfilled by the preaching of John the Baptist to prepare the people for the day of the Lord. The birth of Jesus was the coming of the Messiah that was prophesied. However, the final judgment is still forthcoming, and we do not know the day nor the hour that the Son of Man will return.

For four hundred years God was silent, but much of the prophecy was fulfilled as spoken, giving us to know that the yet as unfulfilled prophecy that Jesus is coming back again will come to pass.

Reflective Question How are you preparing for the coming of the Lord?

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Malachi 3:1-4; 13-18; 4:1-6 NRSV

The Coming Messenger 3 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like washers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.[a] 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, as in the days of old and as in former years.

13 You have spoken harsh words against me, says the Lord. Yet you say, “How have we spoken against you?” 14 You have said, “It is vain to serve God. What do we profit by keeping his command or by going about as mourners before the Lord of hosts? 15 Now we count the arrogant happy; evildoers not only prosper, but when they put God to the test they escape.”

The Reward of the Faithful 16 Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name. 17 They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. 18 Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

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Malachi 4:1-6

NRSV The Great Day of the Lord 4 [a]See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

4 Remember the teaching of my servant Moses, the statutes and ordinances that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

5 See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse.[b]

Questions 1. How are the final words of the book of Malachi filled with hope?

2. Is this Old Testament book of Malachi relevant to us today?

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Final Words Malachi 4:4 tells us to remember the laws given to Moses at Mt. Sinai. They provide the foundation for our civilization. They are not outdated and still apply to us. The entire book of Malachi reminds us: 1.We must know that God has a great love for us and that His love is based on His character and not on our performance.

2.We must offer God our best, not our leftovers, but our full devotion.

3.We must be faithful in marriage and all of our relationships.

4.We must be just in our actions.

5.We must give generously of our money, time and talents to God and His kingdom.

6.We must fear God and honor His name.

7.We must realize all that we have done wrong and feel the weight of all of our sin.

8.We must accept the provision that God makes for our right relationship with Him. 9.We must know that a final judgement day is coming.

In the end, those who have ignored God will be punished, but those who have prepared for His return will be rewarded.

Janice Rhodes Casey Janice Rhodes Casey is a wife, mother, grandmother, and retired educator with over 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher and media specialist. As an ordained minister and copastor with a Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Studies.

Janice loves teaching and preaching the Word of God, connecting the dots between reading the Word and living it out in our lives. She has a podcast, God’s Toolbox, and a blog. Janice is the author of the book, Holy Spirit Unlock the Path Forward: The Steps to Living a Life of Purpose and Fulfillment. She and her husband, Pastor Darrell Casey, are the parents of five children and eleven grandchildren.

Marben Bland Marben Bland is a pastor, multimedia storyteller, and entrepreneur.

For three decades, Marben has been immersed in leadership. First as an officer in the United States Army, and then as a senior leader for some of the best companies in the world.

Including The Sara Lee Corporation, Fiskars Brands, and Advanced Micro Devices.

A thought leader Marben writes and speaks extensively on the impact of faith in our lives. “My Faith Looks Up To Thee” is Marben’s forthcoming book of devotionals for a post pandemic world.

Marben is the pastor of the Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia, where his encouraging messages of hope and faith are streamed worldwide.

Malachi An Original Bible Study

The name Malachi which means “My Messenger” is appropriate, for Malachi’s task is bring the messages that God is displeased with the lack of piety in the community and is about to send a messenger who will reunite and purify all.

These messages are explored in Malachi An Original Bible Study from Janice Rhodes Casey and Marben Bland.

Join us for the four part Bible Study with the following themes: Theme 1 God’s Love Theme 2 The Corrupt Leadership Theme 3 Poor Stewardship of the People Theme 4 The Coming of the Lord