1. Malachi “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them…” (3:6,7).

2. Background Babylonian captivity – 586 B.C.Babylonian captivity – 586 B.C. Persia allow return – 536 B.C.Persia allow return – 536 B.C. Temple completed – 516 B.C.Temple completed – 516 B.C. Walls rebuilt – 443 B.C.Walls rebuilt – 443 B.C. Malachi’s prophecies – 432-425 B.C.Malachi’s prophecies – 432-425 B.C.

3. God’s Love Challenged He reminded them of His love, 1:1-5; Rom. 9:8- 13; Lk. 14:26; Mt. 10:37He reminded them of His love, 1:1-5; Rom. 9:8- 13; Lk. 14:26; Mt. 10:37 Men should reciprocate His love, 1:6-8; To Father - 1 Jn. 4:19Men should reciprocate His love, 1:6-8; To Father - 1 Jn. 4:19 To Master – Lk. 6:46To Master – Lk. 6:46

4. Result of Ritual Worship No worship is better than heartless worship, 1:10-14No worship is better than heartless worship, 1:10-14 God pronounced a curse, 2:1,2; 3:8-11God pronounced a curse, 2:1,2; 3:8-11 (What if your contribution were posted? Their sacrifices were “between them and God” too!)(What if your contribution were posted? Their sacrifices were “between them and God” too!) Twisting God’s word, Gal. 1:6-9Twisting God’s word, Gal. 1:6-9

5. Husbands Divorcing Wives God made a covenant with them at Sinai (Ex. 19:5,6; 24:8).God made a covenant with them at Sinai (Ex. 19:5,6; 24:8). The rejected wives covering the altar with tears (2:13-16)The rejected wives covering the altar with tears (2:13-16) God made the covenant (2:14; Rom. 7:1-3)God made the covenant (2:14; Rom. 7:1-3) God Permits – never commanded divorce (Mt. 19:9; 1 Cor. 7:10,11)God Permits – never commanded divorce (Mt. 19:9; 1 Cor. 7:10,11)

6. The Coming of Elijah Same prophecy as Isaiah 40:3Same prophecy as Isaiah 40:3 Mal. 3:1; 4:5,6Mal. 3:1; 4:5,6 Fulfilled in John the Baptist, Mt. 3:1-3; Mk. 1:1- 4; Lk. 1:17; 3:2-6; Jn. 1:18-23Fulfilled in John the Baptist, Mt. 3:1-3; Mk. 1:1- 4; Lk. 1:17; 3:2-6; Jn. 1:18-23 Before destruction of Temple, 4:5; Mt. 24:1-3,28-34Before destruction of Temple, 4:5; Mt. 24:1-3,28-34

7. Conclusion “A final appeal is made to the people to purge out the wickedness found among them and to render to Jehovah an acceptable service…And a final promise is made of Jehovah’s righteousness to be provided in Him who would be the personal bond of unity between Jehovah and His people. There was no more that Jehovah could say or do; therefore no word was heard from Him until the silence was broken by the messenger who would introduce the Messiah” (Hailey’s Commentary).“A final appeal is made to the people to purge out the wickedness found among them and to render to Jehovah an acceptable service…And a final promise is made of Jehovah’s righteousness to be provided in Him who would be the personal bond of unity between Jehovah and His people. There was no more that Jehovah could say or do; therefore no word was heard from Him until the silence was broken by the messenger who would introduce the Messiah” (Hailey’s Commentary).