1. Malachi 3:13-18
(NIV1984)
Scripture

2. 'What have we said against you?’
13 "You have said harsh things against me," says the Lord . "Yet you ask,
'What have we said against you?’
Scripture

3. 14 "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God
14 "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?
Scripture

4. 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed
15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' “
Scripture

5. 16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
Scripture

6. 17 "They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.
Scripture

7. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
Scripture

9. Malachi 3:13-18 Trusting God in Brokenness

10. Malachi 3:13-18
3:13 “You have said harsh things against me,” says the Lord. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.’”

11. Malachi 3:13-18
16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

12. Malachi 3:13-18
17 “They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion man spares his son who serves him And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” (NIV 1984)

18. post = after , exilic = exile
post-exilic prophets
post = after , exilic = exile

19. Audience during ‘post-exilic’ period
Restored, but not fully.
The former glory is absent.

20. Messages to this audience:
Return to faithful living as God’s people.
Wait patiently until the full restoration comes.

21. Books during ‘post-exilic’ period
History Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Prophets (the last 3 books of the OT) Haggai Zechariah Malachi (Also, some parts of Ezekiel and Daniel)

22. Trusting God in Brokenness
Though we may be tempted to hold onto an attitude of distrust, let us persevere in trusting him because our God who promised is faithful.

23. Trusting God in Brokenness
Attitude of the Israelites
Promise to those who Persevere

24. Attitude of the Israelites
3:13 “You have said harsh things against me,” says the Lord. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’

25. Attitude of the Israelites
14 You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?’ 15 ‘But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.’”

26. Attitude of the Israelites
Sometimes it is hard to see the benefit of following God and it is easy to have an attitude of distrust towards God.
Let’s be honest about our struggles with trusting God and allow him to work in our lives.

27. Promise for those who Persevere
16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other…

28. Promise for those who Persevere
…and the Lord listened and heard.
A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

29. Promise for those who Persevere
17 “They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession.
I will spare them, just as in compassion man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

30. Promise for those who Persevere
These promises are even more complete in Christ Jesus!
We are heard because of Christ’s work. (Heb 10:19-23)
We are written in the Book of Life. (Rev 3:5, 20:12, etc)
We are called the Lord’s treasure whom he loves and we are invited into relationship with him. (1 Pet 2:9)
We will receive the reward for Christ’s righteousness.

31. Promise for those who Persevere
Let us persevere in trusting the Lord and living for the Lord.

32. Though we may be tempted to hold onto an attitude of distrust, let us persevere in trusting him because our God who promised is faithful.