1. MALACHI SERIES 4: GOD’S SECOND AND THIRD CHARGES OF SIN (2:10-17) I. GOD’S LOVE FOR JACOB (1:1-5) II. GOD’S FIRST CHARGE OF SIN (1:6-2:9) III. GOD’S SECOND AND THIRD CHARGES OF SIN (2:10-17) INTRO I. INTRO  Read Mal 2:10-17.

2.  For the rest of Chapter 2 God now turns His attention from the priests to the people.  An emphasis on 3 covenants in this chapter 1. The covenant with Levi (vv. 1-9) 2. The covenant with Israel (vv. 10-12) 3. The covenant of marriage (vv. 13-17) ~ We expect God to be faithful to keep His word; why do we think we have the privilege of not keeping our promises?

3.  This section therefore continues the concept of the covenant.  We cannot successfully separate our dealings with God from the rest of our lives, compartmentalizing them into different parts that God may or may not touch. ~ If He is to be Lord at all, He must be Lord of all.

4.  The issue of covenant faithfulness (or, in this case, unfaithfulness) spreads through many aspects of the life of the covenant people. ~ FAITHFULNESS OR UNFAITHFULNESS TO GOD WILL HAVE A MAJOR BEARING ON THE OTHER AREAS OF OUR LIVES. ~ This unfaithfulness will breed corruption.

5. ~ Matthew Henry: “Corrupt practices are the fruit of corrupt principles; and he who is false to his God, will not be true to his fellow mortals.” A. THE PEOPLE’S SIN OF UNFAITHFULNESS TO THE COVENANT (2:10-16) B. THE PEOPLE’S SIN OF WEARISOME SPEECH (2:17)

6. A. THE PEOPLE’S SIN OF UNFAITHFULNESS TO THE COVENANT (2:10-16) 1. The Sin of Unfaithfulness Revealed (v. 10) a. Through the sin of mixed marriages (vv. 11-12) b. Through the sin of hypocritical tears (v. 13) c. Through the sin of divorce (vv. 14-16)

7. 1. The Sin of Unfaithfulness Revealed (v. 10)  Read Mal 2:10. ~ In v. 10, God, through Malachi, once more engages Judah in a dialogue through a series of 3 questions.  The first question concerns a common kinship – “one father.” ~ The “father” that is referred to here is Yahweh.

8. ~ This does not teach the “universal fatherhood of God”. ~ The context is clearly Jewish: God created the nation and claimed Israel as His firstborn (Isa 63:16; Ex 4:22). ~ In truth, in regard to the second question, not only Israel but all humanity is united. ~ All men are created by God, and it is only in this sense that God is Father of us all, and not in a higher, spiritual sense.

9.  The two questions show: Israel’s unity and very existence as a nation can be attributed to only one source: God Himself. ~ In light of these undeniable truths, Malachi asks question 3. ~ This is treachery is a key theme of this passage with its particular application to the marriage bonds.

10.  This violation has a serious result for the people of God: Their covenant with God is “profaned” or desecrated through breaking its provisions. ~ That foundational covenant for the unity of Israel as a nation is rendered void if interpersonal relationships are not considered worthy of being nurtured and protected.

11.  Every form of the people’s sins was an act of treachery against the whole body – not to mention an act of treachery against God. ~ See 1Cor 12:26-27. ~ SO WHEN WE ARE UNFAITHFUL TO THE LORD WHO IS THE HEAD, IT IS ALSO AN ACT OF TREACHERY AGAINST THE CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY.

12.  There is an implied warning here: If they abused their relationship to the covenant with God, were there any loyalties they would not abuse? ~ There is an application here for us as well: If a believer is not serious in his relationship with God, what guarantee do we have he will be serious in his other relationships? ~ Cf. 2Cor 6:14

13.  When we keep our vows, we honor God and show how we redeemed people can mirror the faithfulness and trustworthiness of our God. ~ On the other hand, when we are promise breakers, we dishonor Him and cast a shadow on the character of our God with whom we have a covenant and whom we claim to follow. ~ Cf. Matt 5:37 & Ps 15:4c