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2. Malachi Malachi Where was God? God’s Messenger SUMMER SERIES — 2012 What kind of God was he? What will God do?

3. The Passage for Today C.1:6-2:16Leaders and Followers — Some Straight Talking: 1:6-2:9 — The failures of the priests — the leaders 2:10-16 — The failures of the people — the followers D.2:17- 4:6The Lord will Come: 2:17 — God’s ways had been misunderstood 3:1-5 — The promised Messiah would come 3:6-18 — God’s covenant demands remained unchanged 4:1-6 — ‘The day of the Lord’ A. 1:1Title: What, who and how B. 1:2-5Introduction: God’s covenant love for Israel affirmed

4. The Lord will come — Part 1 2:17 — “You have wearied the L ORD with your words. ‘How have we wearied him?’ you ask. God’s ways had been misunderstood (2:17) The disbelieving people thought … what they did was right, and what others did was wrong God seemed to favour the wrongdoers God’s justice was therefore questionable By saying, ‘All who do evil are good in the eyes of the L ORD, and he is pleased with them’ or ‘Where is the God of justice?’” They misunderstood God’s ways because their own understanding was faulty

5. The Lord will come — Part 2 v. 1 — “The Lord you are seeking will come …” v. 2 — “He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap …” v. 5 — “I will come near to you for judgement...” The promised Messiah would come — 3:1-5 God’s plan did not work out as they might have expected It was over 400 years before Jesus came — after more troubles When the Lord did come to Bethlehem, not all the events mentioned by the OT prophets happened at that time

6. The time of Malachi Jesus came the 1 st time to establish God’s kingdom Jesus will come the 2 nd time to complete God’s kingdom 450 BC 0 1000 AD 2000 AD ? The Lord will come — in two stages … but the truth remains: the Lord will come

7. The Lord will come — Part 3 v. 6 — “I the L ORD do not change” God’s covenant demands remained unchanged — 3:6-18 The failure of their faith did not have to be final. But how could they return? v. 8 — “You rob me … in tithes and offerings” … and this must be addressed and corrected v. 13 — “‘You have said harsh things against me’ says the L ORD ” … and this must be addressed and corrected v. 7 — “‘Return to me, and I will return to you’ says the L ORD.” “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’” What would be the outcome? v. 10 “… so much blessing …” v. 11 assured food supplies v. 12 “… a delightful land”

8. The Lord will come — Part 3 3:18 — “The distinction between … Jacob Esau … the righteous, those who serve God … and the wicked, those who do not” It all depends on the choice people make

9. The Lord will come — Part 4 v. 1 — “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. ‘The day of the Lord’ — 4:1-6 v. 2 — “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings …” v. 4 — “Remember the law … I gave [Moses] at Horeb for all Israel” All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble …” v. 5 — “… that great and terrible day of the L ORD comes”

10. Conclusion The day of the Lord will come … the elements will be destroyed by fire. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought we to be? The day of the Lord will come … the elements will be destroyed by fire. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought we to be? We ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God and hasten its coming. forward to the day of God and hasten its coming. From 2 Peter 3:11-12 From 2 Peter 3:11-12

12. I am waiting for the dawning of that bright and blessed day, When the darksome night of sorrow shall have vanished far away; When for ever with the Saviour, far beyond this vale of tears, I shall swell the song of worship through the everlasting years. I am waiting for the dawning of that bright and blessed day, When the darksome night of sorrow shall have vanished far away; When for ever with the Saviour, far beyond this vale of tears, I shall swell the song of worship through the everlasting years. I am waiting for the coming of the Lord who died for me: How His words have thrilled my spirit, “I will come again for thee!” I can almost hear his footfall on the threshold of the door, And my heart, my heart, is longing to be with Him evermore. Samuel T. Francis (1834-1925) I am waiting for the coming of the Lord who died for me: How His words have thrilled my spirit, “I will come again for thee!” I can almost hear his footfall on the threshold of the door, And my heart, my heart, is longing to be with Him evermore. Samuel T. Francis (1834-1925)