Key word: “You Say”
The Lord had sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the returned exiles to finish building the temple. But spiritually, the people had declined and so 58 years later God sent Ezra to preach truth and the Jews responded well. 12 years after Ezra came to town, Nehemiah appears and under His leadership they rebuild the walls and their spiritual lives. But Nehemiah goes back to Persia for several years and the people once again go into spiritual decline. The Jews maintained their religious routines but their hearts were cold. It was then that the Lord sent Malachi, at Nehemiah 13:4-14, to expose their cold hearts and call them to spiritual vitality.
Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament is the Lord’s final wake up call to His people who so often drifted into spiritual slumber and worse. Malachi uses a very unique approach. 12 different times he quotes the very words of the people, revealing to them how they had lost their way. He introduced these quotes with the words, “You say”, we will look at a few of these that reveal their hearts:
1) They doubted God’s law (1:2). The Lord opens the book with a declaration of His love but they question it and want to know how He has loved them.
2) They dishonored God by going through the motions of worship but giving their ”throw-aways” to Him (1:7).
3) They are bored serving God (1:13).
4) They had sinfully divorced their wives (2:14, cp v. 16).
5) They did not know how to repent (3:7).
6) They had robbed God (3:8). Route 66 57 7) They saw no profit in serving the Lord (3:13-14). They were the types who would say that they tried to follow the Lord but it just didn’t work for them.
Malachi and the Old Testament closes with a command, a promise and a curse.
1) The command (4:4). The Lord goes back to the basics and demands obedience.
2) A promise (4:5-6a). The Lord will send a messenger who will prepare the way for the coming of the Lord (cp 3:1).
3) A curse (4:6b) A warning: The Lord’s coming will nullify the curse (cp Revelations 22:20).
Key verse: Malachi 1:2a – “I have loved you,” says the Lord.
