SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
Malachi 1:1 through 4:6

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” (Malachi 3:16-17)

BACKGROUND

Decades before the prophet Malachi came on the scene, the Jewish people had returned from their seventy-year captivity in Babylon. Initially, they were committed to rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple and restoring their system of worship. Many believed that their Messiah would soon come and that their nation would once again experience the prosperity and blessing it had enjoyed in the time of David. 

However, as the years went by, the exiles who chose to return had become disillusioned. As their bright hopes failed to materialize, depression and discouragement settled upon the community. They wondered about God’s love for them as His chosen people. More and more of them drifted away from their covenant commitment to God. And year by year, the prosperity and blessing they hoped for failed to materialize. Instead, their crops were stunted and their harvests disappointing. 

The pure worship God had commanded was compromised as the priests became careless in the performance of their duties and neglected their responsibility to instruct the people, who openly questioned the authority and ways of God. Imperfect animals were offered as sacrifices and the people ceased paying their tithes and offerings. Social injustice became common, and the Sabbath was desecrated by greedy merchants. Intermarriage between Jewish men and heathen women became widespread, often preceded by divorcing their Jewish wives. The people were in dire peril of being absorbed by the ungodly cultures around them. 

It was to this dark situation that Malachi was called by God. In bold and severe words of condemnation, he rebuked the people for their neglect of the Temple, their false and profane worship, and their willful disobedience of God’s commandments. However, his messages also conveyed the love of God, who was willing to offer mercy and forgiveness to His disillusioned and discouraged people.

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QUESTIONS

1. The Book of Malachi is characterized as a “burden” in the first verse of chapter 1. In the original Hebrew, that word is massa, and it refers to a prophetic utterance describing a heavy judgment of great weight or importance against a nation or people. In Malachi 1:2, what was God’s first statement to His people? How do you think that statement fits together with the characterization of Malachi’s message as a burden?
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2. The people responded to God’s assertion of His love for them with a question: “Wherein hast thou loved us?” In essence, they were demanding proof. What two Bible characters did God inspire Malachi to use as an example of God’s love and care?
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3. In Malachi 1:6-8, Malachi stated that the priests had despised God by not giving Him the honor due to a father or master. The priests disputed that charge, asking, “Wherein have we despised thy name?” Malachi responded by pointing out that they had offered imperfect sacrifices to God—animals that were blind, lame, or sick—although the Law clearly prohibited offering blemished sacrifices. We do not offer animal sacrifices as part of worship now, so what might constitute an imperfect offering to God in our day?
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4. God chose the Jewish people to be a light to the nations and to communicate His message throughout the world. They had failed in this, and as a result, God declared, “Neither will I accept an offering at your hand” (Malachi 1:10). Despite the Jews’ failure, God inspired Malachi to state a great Biblical truth in Malachi 1:11. How would you explain this promise in your own words?
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5. Chapter 2 continues God’s condemnation of the priests. Malachi warned that if the priests did not take God’s instructions to heart, they would bring punishment upon themselves. In verses 4-6, the prophet pointed to the covenant God had made with Levi and his descendants, who had been appointed to serve God in the Temple worship. (In this passage, Levi is a personification of the priestly order, rather than the son of Jacob and Leah.) Based on verses 5-6, what godly characteristics of the priests in the past made them a righteous example for the corrupted priests of Malachi’s day?
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6. In verses 10-17 of chapter 2, Malachi addressed the people of Judah. Although they were not openly declaring that they had rejected God, they were completely disregarding His instructions in a very important matter. This brought a stern rebuke by the prophet, recorded in verse 11: “Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem.” What sin had the people committed? Why do you think Malachi used such strong words to condemn their actions?
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7. In the final verse of chapter 2, Malachi asserted that the people had “wearied” God with their words. They had complained that the wicked prospered and had it better than the godly. They thought it was unjust of God to bless others and not them, and asked, “Where is the God of judgment?” God responded in chapter 3. Verse 1 indicates that one would be sent by God to “prepare the way” for another Messenger. Jesus said this was John the Baptist. The “messenger of the covenant” was Jesus Christ. According to Malachi 3:3, what would this second Messenger do?
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8. In verses 7-12 of chapter 3, the next question posed by the people was, “Wherein [how] shall we return [to God]?” Malachi responded by urging the people to stop neglecting to pay their tithes, comparing this to robbing God. What promise was associated with the instruction to “bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse” in verse 10? What significance does this promise have for us?
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9. Malachi 3:16-17 records that there were a few faithful ones in Judah who feared the Lord and “spake often one to another” despite the arrogant doubters around them. They received God’s commendation: a “book of remembrance” was written about them and those who “thought upon his name.” In verse 17, God promised that He would claim them for His own, “in that day when I make up my jewels.” In every generation, God has those who trust in Him—His “jewels.” What are some ways that Christians are like jewels?
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10. The final chapter of the Book of Malachi begins with the prophet’s warning of coming judgment upon “all that do wickedly.” However, a beautiful promise is given in verses 2-3. What is that promise?

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CONCLUSION

The Book of Malachi is the final prophecy of the Old Testament. The two concluding verses foretell the coming of John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. After it was written, a period of about four hundred years passed before the advent of Christ and the ushering in of the New Covenant.