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Introduction
The name Malachi means “my messenger”. The historical settings of this book seems to coincide with the time of
Nehemiah. So we assume the date to be between 445-432 BC. Nehemiah had taken a group of Israelites back to
Canaan many years after the temple was rebuilt. He did this for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
Malachi’s writing shows that the people had become very frustrated that their ‘golden age’ had not dawned yet. This
frustration affected their zeal for God. Malachi urgently called the people back to a total commitment for God. He
makes it very clear that complacency is out and radical commitment is in! Malachi’s prophecies are in a disputation
style. Or in other words, God say his point, the people answer by asking questions and God answers those questions
again.
First Dispute (Mal. 1:2-5)
- God says : I have loved you!
- People asks : How have you loved us?
- God answers : By choosing Jacob (Israel) over Esau (Edom)!
God reminds his people that he loved Jacob but hated Esau. This is not to be taken absolutely but relatively, i.e., God
preferred or chose Jacob. Both Jacob and Esau are to be understood as nations and not individuals. That is God’s
love has to do with primarily election and covenant. Because of his covenant with them they were special objects of
his love.
Second Dispute (Mal. 1:6-2:9)
- God says : Why do you priests despise my name?
- Priests asks : How have we despised your name?
- God answers : By offering blemished sacrifice.
- Priest ask : How have we done that?
- God answers : By offering blemished, lame or sick animals.
They would not have offered such to their governor, but they thought nothing of giving God their leftovers! God
even mentions that He would rather have no worship than sinful worship. How do we sacrifice today? Our bodies
(Rom.12:1), our money (Phil.4:18), our praise to God (Heb.13:15), our services to others (Heb.13:16), our prayers
(Rev.5:8) and our fruit (Rom.15:16). What is our attitude in sacrificing?
Application :
What are you sacrificing for God today?
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing
to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
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