Malachi 01

v 1. Malachi means My Messenger. Nothing more is known about him. This was around 100 years after Cyrus ordered the return, so Nehemiah’s wall had probably been completed. This burden of rebuke is appropriate for many today.
v 2-5. God loved Israel, but they had the audacity to ask,
[1] How have you loved us? because He punished their sin, just as He had warned. Esau was loved less than Jacob and disavowed. Both Edom and Israel were punished for their sin, but because of God’s covenant with Israel, they were restored. In contrast to the holy land, Edom is the wicked land. Edom’s sin was great in persecuting the ones who were God chosen nation, so they will destroyed forever, Jer. 49:7-22; Ezek. 35.
v 6. Under law children were to be stoned for disobeying parents, so Israel as the son of God was worthy of destruction. Even the priests had shown disrespect for God, yet they asked
[2] In what way have we shown disrespect for your name?
v 7. The answer was that they had offered polluted bread on His altar. This was not bread on the table in the tabernacle, but offerings, which were called the bread of God in Lev. 21:6. Priests became callous and asked
[3] how have we polluted thee?
v 8-10. They were obviously contemptible by offering forbidden sacrifices, blind, lame and sick. Malachi pointed out that the governor would not have been pleased with those offerings. (Would our schools or employers be pleased with the way some skip attendance or come in late?) Malachi indicated the whole temple service just as well be shut down, because God would not accept those offerings. 
v 11. If Israel had been obedient, the name of the Lord would have been great among all nations, but this pure offering will have to await the Millennium.
v 12,13. The actions of the priests showed contempt for God’s offerings, and it was a burden instead of privilege to serve. The people were also bringing animals torn in the field, but they made no attempt to correct the people to bring those acceptable. Sacrifices were weariness to them.
v 14. Even worse, so a curse is pronounced upon them, was someone who makes a vow voluntarily, yet brings a forbidden offering. They wouldn’t do that to a king, yet the Lord is a King above all kings.

Malachi 02

v 1,2. Malachi speaks directly to the priests that if they don’t heed and honor God, they will receive a curse instead of the blessing on themselves and the people.
v 3,4. Continued disobedience would cause the priesthood to be taken from the descendants of Levi. Instead of the maw, or stomach, which the priests was for the priests, they would get the dung from it, and they would be as unclean as the offerings. The Lord is giving them this warning so that His covenant might continue with Levi.
v 5,6. God made a covenant of peace with Phinehas, Num. 25: 10-13, after he smote the adulterer and Midianite woman in the tent and further punishment. In doing so he turned many from sin. He revered God and was true and upright.  
v 7-9. The man whose name is “The Messenger” gives a rebuke to the priests who were supposed to be the messengers of God. They had caused many to stumble by not requiring perfect sacrifices. Therefore they will be despised and humiliated.
v 10. Now Malachi asks three questions.
1. Have we not one father? God.
2. Has not God created us? A distinct people.
3. Why do we deal treacherously? By being unfaithful to the covenant of the Lord with us. Disobedience.
v 11. The abominable thing was marrying pagan women who worshiped false gods, and tempted them to. Intermarriage was a real problem after the exile, and rebuked by Ezra and Nehemiah, Ezra 9:1,2, 10-12; Neh. 13:23-27. 
v 12,13. Those repeating that would be cut off by death or lack of posterity, even offerings and many tears won’t take away the penalty of what they have done. This was for both priests and others. Nehemiah drove away one priest who intermarried.
v 14. Yet they asked 
[4]why (won’t you accept our offerings)? Now it comes out that some had divorced their Jewish wives, the wives of their marriage covenant, to marry the heathen women. (Adultery)
v 15. God had made them one, Gen. 2:24. (This may have a secondary meaning that Israel was now one nation and should not break faith with God.)
v 16. God does not have a comparative, but real hatred of divorce. Spreading the skirt symbolizes marriage, but God describes violation of the marriage as a covering of violence. God allowed Moses to make concession to protect the wife if divorce should occur, but Jesus emphasized it was not God’s plan, Matt. 5:31,32; 19:1-12 etc. It is the covenant that makes the marriage, not the sexual act of adultery. They were to take heed not to break the marriage agreement or relationship to God.
v 17. God does not change or grow weary, Isa. 40:28, but now he is wearied with the faithless words of the people, as with the sins in Isa. 43:24. Amazingly, the people say,
[5] how have we wearied thee? They claimed God looked with favor on those doing evil. This is like the familiar,”Why do the wicked prosper?” This was voiced by Job 21:7-26 and 24:1-17; Psalms 73:16-20; Ecl. 8:14; Jeremiah 12:7-17 and Habakkuk 1. There is the problem that the righteous suffer with the wicked and the wicked are blessed by the same rain as the righteous. The answer is not in the immediate, but in the ultimate. However, these people were Hypocritical, they were the ones who were to blame, and were wrong to ask [6] where is the God of justice?

Malachi 03

v 1a. This messenger is John the Baptist, Matt. 11:7-10; Isa. 40:3; Jn. 1:23.
1b. The messenger of the covenant who is desired is Christ at His first advent, but they didn’t recognize Him. This answers the superficial question of the people in 2:17.
v 2-4. The coming of the Lord will be a day of judgment, so the answer to both questions in v 2 is that none of the wicked will stand. He will purge the wicked and purify Levites as in a refinery. In the Millennium, Israel will bring acceptable offerings.
v 5,6. Judgment will also fall on the rest of Israel, and they will be delivered, not destroyed, because they will truly repent. God will keep His promise to Israel. We have the same assurance, that it is because of His mercies that we are not consumed.
v 7. God promises to return to a repentant Israel, but they pretended ignorance of their sin in asking,
[7] in what way are we to return? They had left the ordinances, v 7 and robbed God, v 8.
v 8. Another fake innocence,
[8] How have we robbed thee? Before it was quality of their offerings, here it is the quantity. They had withheld tithes and offerings.
v 9. The curse, revealed in v 11 was famine due to pests.
v 10-12. They had been experiencing curse, but now they could have blessing in material goods and favor of nations for obedience and bringing in their tithes. This is not a command for “storehouse tithing” as pushed by some today, or tithing according to there third year etc. The tithe is a good starting guide, but we are commanded to give as God prospers, more like the voluntary offerings of Deut. 16:17.  We are no longer under the law, but give according to 2 Cor. 9:6-12; Gal. 6:6; Phi. 4:14-19. The giving in Acts 4: 31-35 was a special communal type not appropriate for today.
v 13-15. They had spoken harshly against the Lord, yet say, v 13,
[9] What have we said against you? They indict themselves by their next question,
[10] What profit is there in keeping Your ordinance  and mourning? They had disobeyed and repentance was mere pretense and external legalism, not from the heart.  Some in deep sin seemed to be getting by, and the former dared God to punish them. (Comments 2:17) They said it was vain to serve God. Compare Jer, 44:16-19 where they gave credit to the Queen of Heaven.
v 16-18. A believing remnant spoke in contrast to those of v 13-15. God keeps a permanent record (book of remembrance), of the faithful. They are His. In the Day of the Lord they will obtain special favor of the Lord. Then there will be a distinct difference between the true and untrue.

Malachi 04

v 1. This elaborates on the Day of the Lord. The fire in 3:2,3 was purifying, but this is a destroying fire. Not annihilation but conscious eternal torment of the wicked.
v 2. Hebrew for “wings” can mean the tassel commanded for the border of the garment, Num 15:38. One blue thread, a ribband of blue, was required in the tassel. (Blue to purple from the shell fish on the shore of Mediterranean Sea. The healing as the bleeding woman touched it in Mk. 5:30. In that day when Christ returns, those who revere the Lord will be spiritually refreshed and feel the freedom of confined calves turned loose. Then they will call out, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, Lk 13:35. The practice of tassels was abused, Mt. 23:5.
v 3. The righteous will know experientially that the wicked do not prosper after all.
v 4. Those of Malachi’s day are told to remember and do the things Moses taught.
v 5,6. Elijah was a type of John Baptist, who came in the office and duty or the spirit and power of Elijah, Lk. 1:17, but he was not Elijah. Elijah appeared with Christ on the mount of transfiguration. Some think this refers to someone like Elijah. I believe Elijah and Moses will come as the two witnesses, Rev. 11:3-6, before the great and terrible Day of the Lord. Both John and Elijah work a work of repentance and reconciliation, but those who refuse will be under the curse of the Lord. How much better to be under the blessing of Rev. 22:21 than the curse of Mal. 4:6.

Malachi - How Have We?

1;2  [1] How have you loved us?
Answer v 2-5 Loved Jacob over Esau and punished Edom. He continued indignation against her but favored Israel.
1:6 [2] In what way have we shown disrespect for your name?  
Answer v 7 They offered polluted bread on the altar. Not bread on the table, but bread offered.
1:7 [3] How have we polluted thee?
Answer v 8,9 Offered blind, lame and sick  animals.
2:10 v 10. Now Malachi asks three questions.
1. Have we not one father? God.
2. Has not God created us? A distinct people.
3. Why do we deal treacherously? They were unfaithful to the covenant of the Lord t0 them. Disobedience.

2:14. [4] Why (v 13) won’t you accept our offerings)? Answer v 14-16. Unfaithful to their wives.
2:17 [5] How have we wearied thee?
Answer v 17 Claimed God looked with favor on their evil deeds.
2:17 [6] Where is the God of justice? Eccl 8:14. Mt 5:45 Answer Mt. 5:45... He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
3.7 [7] in what way are we to return?
They had left the ordinances, v 7 He had explained in v 5-7a
3:8 [8] How have we robbed thee?
Answer v 8 In tithes and offerings. v 9-12  not storehouse
 3:13 [9] What have we said against you?
They indict themselves by their next statement v 14a and  question,
3:14 10] What profit is there in keeping Your ordinance  and mourning?   (Also compare Jer, 44:16-19)
They had disobeyed and repentance was mere pretense and external legalism, not from the heart.  Some in deep sin seemed to be getting by, and the former dared God to punish them. (2:17 last phrase) They said it was vain to serve God. Compare Jer, 44:16-19 where they gave credit to the Queen of Heaven. \\1;2  

Audience Questions

[1] How have you loved us?
1:6 [2] In what way have we shown disrespect for your name?  
1:7 [3] How have we polluted thee?
2:10 v 10. Now Malachi asks three questions.
1. Have we not one father? .
2. Has not God created us?
3. Why do we deal treacherously?
2:14. [4] Why (v 13) won’t you accept our offerings)?
2:17 [5] How have we wearied thee?
2:17 [6] Where is the God of justice? Eccl 8:14. Mt 5:45
3:7 [7] In what way are we to return?
3:8 [8] How have we robbed thee?
3:13 [9] What have we said against you?
3:14 10] What profit is there in keeping Your ordinance  and mourning?   (Also compare Jer, 44:16-19)

copyright © 2012 Christ Is Alive Ministry
www.christisalive.net

In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking colleger courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.

1. Apocrypha
2. Confessions of St Augustine
3. Divine Comedy of Dante (Henery Carytr)
4. King James Bible
5. LDS (Mormons)
6. Martin Luther
7. St John of the Cross
8. Budhist
9. Christian-King James
10. Hindu
11. Islam
12. Judaism
13. Sikh
14. Tao
15. Zoroastrian

OUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE  DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen

08/19/2011