Clean
up the road for the New King
Historical
background and purpose of the book
The
last book in the Bible is showing the Jews settled in Jerusalem – getting caught
up in daily life, religious activity and intermarriage (also as a sign for not
living close to God/idolatry)
Malachi
means: “my messenger”, may not be his actual name – but the title. No agreement
on this. NB.p.271. He was a prophet in the days of Nehemiah.
It
was composed sometime after 460BC – after the return from the exile, after the
rebuilding of the Temple and after worship there has been mere routine.
Malachi
addresses the corrupt priest 1.6-2.9, the intermarriages with pagan wives
2.10-16, neglect of tithes and offerings 3.7-12. He calls the people to a new
commitment and obedience.
In
the end of the book and the OT, he is pointing forward for the Jesus and John
the Baptist.
Theme
tracing:
What does the book show
about the character and nature of God?
He
is focusing on the heart matter again: “ So
guard you heart, remain loyal to the wife of
your youth” 2.15 and in 4.6: “His preaching will turn the heart of fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers or I will come
and strike the land with a curse” 4.6
He
wants His name to be honored or He will bring curse and punish .2.1-3
2.5
“The purpose of my Covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace – and that was what I gave them. This requires
reverence “
He
desires truth and justice 2.6 and 3.5
I
am the Lord and I do not change. 3.6
Return
to me and I will return to you! 3.7
Wants
to pour his blessing if they follow His commands. 3.10-11
To
those who feared him, He said: “ They will be my people” 3.17
“On the day when I act in judgment, they will
be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient
child. Then you will again see the different between the righteous and the
wicked, between those who serve god and those who do not!”3.18
What does this book show
about God´s redemptive plan for mankind?
As
the last book in the OT Malachi is given some clear prophecies of Jesus: (NBp276):
As
a messenger of the Covenant: Christ comes to His temple 3.1 and purifies it 3.3
Confirmed in NT John2.14-17, Hebr. 13.12
His
coming brings judgment 4.1 – Rev20.11-15
As
the sun of Righteousness, Christ heals His people. 4.2
Of
John the Baptist:
Prepare
the way of the Lord 3.1 – Matt 3.3
His
forerunner prepares for the coming of the Lord 3.1, 4.5 - Matt 11.10 14
Application
questions
Personal application:
1.
“On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special
treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will
again see the different between the righteous and the wicked, between those who
serve god and those who do not!”3.18
These verses
spoke out to me as a summery of the whole OT! This is some of what God has been
longing for all the time! In Rom 12.1-3 Paul also writes of us not to copy the
behavior and customs of this world.
2. Also the last verse: “The fathers hearts of the fathers to their
children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers or I will come and
strike the land with a curse“ – this need is no smaller today in all the
broken families and dysfunction relationships. It may mean more the religious
father – but for me it is also a hope of restoration between fathers and
children today – and a serious matter to our God.
3. I am praying for God to reveal His
holiness, to surprise me with His “outofmylimits” being – and I like the way
God is saying this: That they should bring the tithes (follow the Law) to the
storehouse in the temple, and if you do: “ I
will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great
you won’t have an enough room to take it in! Try it put me to the test! “
POP
on separate paper
Source : SVB, NB, www.biblesiden.no, lecture in class
