Our friends from the Bible Project introduce the book of Malachi this way:
One hundred years after exile, the Israelites who had returned to Jerusalem were as evil and corrupt as their ancestors. The book of Malachi addresses their sins—they’ve corrupted the sacrificial system, hoarded their money, and worshiped foreign gods. But despite all of this, God does not forget his promises to deliver his people and establish a new Jerusalem.
The book of Malachi sums up what the whole Hebrew Bible has been pointing to—God’s people cannot be faithful to the covenant. They’ve failed again and again. And while God will deal with their sin, he will not abandon them. He promises to redeem a remnant and send a Messiah to fulfill his covenant promises.
For context, click on the link to the Bible Project video and then read the book of Malachi.
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/malachi/
1. After watching the video, and reading the text what do you learn about God’s character?
2. What does it tell you of the nature of God?
3. How do you see God’s love prevailing?
4. How does the text speak most personally to you?
Read and reflect on the opening words of Malachi 1.1-5 and answer the following questions:
5. God says, “I love you.” But, the Israelites want proof. “How have you loved us?” they reply. Do you know God loves you? How has He loved you? How and where are you currently experiencing His love?
6. Describe a time when you believed in your head that God loved you, but questioned in your heart if He was actually loving you.
7. In what ways are you loving God? How and where in your life are you expressing your full devotion to Him?
Read and reflect on the words of Malachi 1.6-2.9 and 2.10-17, and answer the following questions:
8. What’s God’s desire in our worship of Him?
9. How have you grown in honoring God in worship?
10. Why is fidelity to God and to the marriage covenant so foundational to our lives as Christians?
Read and reflect on the words of Malachi 3.1-12, and answer the following questions:
11. How does God ultimately enact justice in our world?
12. How does the way we steward His resources bless God, or “rob” God? What do you believe is the role of tithing in the Church today? How are you growing to trust Him with your finances…with all things?
The message on Sunday included themes of exile. Though living through a painful season of exile, the people of God didn’t change. After the return to Jerusalem they hearts became hardened toward God.
13. How has God used seasons of exile to draw you closer to Him?
14. What’s been the long lasting change because of your experience in exile?
15. How did God deliver you from that season and bring you home, bring you back to a place of soul rest?
The message on Sunday closed with the prophecy of Malachi describing the return of Jesus. We’ll include it below. Spend some time reflecting His love and His healing for you.
“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays…
“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.
“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Malachi 4:2, 5-6
