lesson 2 Two More Areas Where Backslidden Israel had to be Rebuked (they were offering defective sacrifices and showing disdainful attitudes toward the worship of the Lord)
Malachi 1:6-14
background notes
1.
2.
3.
doctrinal / teaching points
1.Defective sacrifices dishonor God.
2.Disdainful attitudes dishonor God.
practical application 1.Let's close the door of the church if we are just going through the motions.
questions
1.What is the meaning of the name Malachi?
2.Who was the last prophet of the Old Testament?
3. Malachi was a contemporary of Nehemiah. What is Nehemiah noted for?
4.When did Malachi write his book and what was his message?
5.Down through the years, God reminded Israel of His covenanted love and His loving kindness toward them. What was the response to this love by the people of Malachi's day?
6. Why were the priests rebuked?
7.Explain, “From the rising of the sun, My name shall be great among the Gentiles.” (Malachi 1:11)
answers
1.Malachi means “my messenger.”
2.Malachi
3.Rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem.
4.He wrote about 430 B.C. to rebuke the people for their backslidden ways. This was likely during the time after the rebuilding of the wall.
5.They questioned God's love and they challenged Him to prove it.
6.For offering defective sacrifices and for despising God's way of worship.
7.It is a prediction of the future when believing Gentiles would worship the Lord.
discuss / consider
1.God said that the people and priests were dishonoring Him by offering defective sacrifices on the altar. What about your offerings to the Lord? Do you give the Lord the left-overs of your time, for example? How about your talents? Do you use them to serve the Lord or to serve yourself? Is your praise on Sunday morning defiled and defective because of what your mind was occupied with the night before? Are you offering defective sacrifices and dishonoring God?
2.It was not only the actions of the people and the priests in offering defective sacrifices, but it was their attitudes as well. Re-read Malachi 1:6, 7, 12-13. Would you possibly have such an attitude? Does your mind wander during a time of worship?
challenge 1.Are you worshiping with a right heart? Don't just put in time or go because it's a habit. God would rather have the doors of the temple (church) closed than have the people just go through the motions.
memorize
“Where is My honor? Where is My reverence?” Malachi 1:6
“In what way have we despised Your name? In what way have we defiled You?” Malachi 1:6-7
“Would your governor be pleased with you when you offer a defective sacrifice?” Malachi 1:8
“But now entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us.” Malachi 1:9
“Who is there among you who would shut the doors?” Malachi 1:10
“From the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles.” Malachi 1:11
“You profane My name, and you say 'What a weariness!' Should I accept this from your hand, says the Lord.” Malachi 1:12-13
“'I am a great King,' says the Lord of hosts, 'and My name is to be feared among the nations.'” Malachi 1:14
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Two More Areas Where Backslidden Israel had to be Rebuked