CFM:
Thoughts to Keep in Mind
CFM: December 12–18
“I Have Loved You, Saith the Lord”
Videos and Podcasts
Resources and insights pertaining to the Lessons
Continuation of the 12 Minor Prophets
(~440-420 BC)
"My messenger"
the same as malach מַלְאָךְ (H4397)
Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, and it occurs about 100 years after the Jews had returned from exile. Once again, Jerusalem was plagued with corruption. In a series of six disputes, God demonstrates that, unfortunately, the last exile did little to change the people's hearts long term.
A summary of the disputes is as follows:
Dispute #1: (1:1-5) The Lord declares his love for Israel, and the people question, "Wherein hast thou loved us?" The Lord responds by reminding them of the story of Jacob and Esau.
Dispute #2: (6-14) The Lord accuses the people of despising him and defiling his Temple. The people ask how they have despised his name. The Lord points out that the people offer polluted sacrifices instead of the best of their fields and flocks.
Dispute #3: (2) The Lord accuses the priests of Israel of not being faithful to their covenants, particularly regarding how they treated their wives and daughters. He curses them because they have corrupted the truth of his law to serve their own ambitions and desires, causing all of God's people to stumble in error. The priests respond by making excuses and justifications. The Lord reminds them that their indiscretions are a form of idolatry, which will result in tremendous pain & suffering. If not corrected, these indiscretions will eventually cut them off entirely from their families and the Lord.
Dispute # 4: (2:17-3:6) The Lord accuses Israel of wearing him with vain words. The people ask how. The Lord points out their hypocritical nature; they say one thing and do another. The Lord warns them that judgment will be delivered to all. Those who pass through the refiner's fire with faith will be protected and compensated—those who do not have reason to fear, as they will quickly be consumed.
Dispute #5 (2:7-12) The Lord pleads with Israel to "Return unto me, and I will return unto you." The people respond by asking how they should return, to which the Lord counsels them to pay their tithing. He asks them to prove him, and he promises that if they are faithful to this commandment, he will bless them in abundance and "open the windows of heaven."
Dispute # 6: (2:13-18) The people complain that it is vain to serve God because those who keep the laws mourn, and those who don't are happy. The Lord instructs them to keep and study a book of remembrance; this will help the people see the bigger picture and discern between good and evil so they might see the long-term effects of righteousness and wicked behavior.
Chapter 4 concludes the accounts of the Law, Prophets, and Writings. Finally, Malachi ties it all together by prophesying about the coming Messiah. He also promises that the Lord would send Elijah, the prophet, before the Millennial day, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.
Key verses and things to ponder:
These disputes were addressed almost 2500 years ago, yet many of these topics could have come straight out of our last General Conference talks. So what observations stand out as being particularly relevant to us today?