2. Malachi God’s Messenger

3. Malachi The Real Question 1:1 – 1:5 Whose Fault is it? 1:6 – 2:16 I am sending My Messenger. 2:17 – 3:7 How shall we Return? 3:7 – 4:3

4. 1The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. 2“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the LORD of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the LORD is angry forever.’” 5Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!”

5. The Real Question…. 1The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. 2“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” Burden: Gen 6:6, Ps 78:40, Hosea 11:1-11, Jer 31:20, Mk 3:5 How have you loved us? Psalms, Gen 18:25, Ex 5:22, Jer 15:18, Mk 15:34

6. Is not Esau Jacob’s brother? “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3but Esau I have hated. Gen 29:31, Gen 37:4, Ex 1:10, Ex 20:4-6 Numbers 20:14

7. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert

9. The Lord of Hosts! 4If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the LORD of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down … you shall say, “Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!” All powers seen, and unseen

10. Faithful Obedience vs. Moral Obedience Perhaps that is why modern Christianity cuts of so many corners of the gospel, shrinking the cross to something nice that fits on a tie-tack, earing or necklace. Christianity has become Moral obedience or Judeo-Christian values which make a great society, albeit with lots of loop holes (still the best option) HOWEVER! It does not make for a Christian, or a Christian Nation. Without faithful obedience to Christ it simply is behavior, still better, but misses the point that God sets down. Leave us longing for promised stuff that we have grown accustomed to believing equates with God’s love. Obedience longs for GOD Himself!

11. Does God Love Us? Like Abraham, we ask, “Go where? Alright…” Like Moses, we ask, “Say what? Ok…” Like Joshua, we ask, “Do What? Let’s go…” Like Ester, we ask, “But what if? I’ll try.”

13. Who is bold enough to take the bait? “How have you loved me God?” While waiting for an answer? God NEVER abandons his children, he disciplines, but His love for us burdens Him toward… STEADFAST COVENENTAL UNFAILING LOVE!