Participant s Guide Lesson 3 Malachi Chapter 3 & 4: Unfinished Malachi 3-4 (NIV) 3 I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come, says the Lord Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner s fire or a launderer s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. 5 So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me, says the Lord Almighty. Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes 6 I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty. But you ask, How are we to return? 8 Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. 32
But you ask, How are we robbing you? In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse your whole nation because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, says the Lord Almighty. 12 Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, says the Lord Almighty. Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God 13 You have spoken arrogantly against me, says the Lord. Yet you ask, What have we said against you? 14 You have said, It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it. The Faithful Remnant 16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. 17 On the day when I act, says the Lord Almighty, they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Judgment and Covenant Renewal 4 [ Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord Almighty. Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act, says the Lord Almighty. 4 Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction. 33
400 Years of Silence... The Old Testament traces the history of the Jewish people from Adam and Eve to the downfall of Israel's theocracy and then to the reestablishment of the nation Israel in their land. The Old Testament stops with the book of Malachi - the last set of events surrounding the coming of Christ. The older scriptures contain 1) prophecy which validates its message and 2) history which reveals God and the sinful nature and character of men and women. Throughout the scriptures God was revealing Himself. But the most important reason for the Old Testament is to teach us who the Messiah would be and why He would come. During the "400 years of silence" also called the intertestimental period, God was active in world history causing major political and military events to occur. It was now count down time to the coming of Messiah. The nation of Israel was undergoing change. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes came to positions of influence. Israel was looking for Messiah. The stage was set for Jesus Christ to come... During the "400 years of silence" God was fulfilling prophecy and counting down to the time for Jesus to arrive on this earth and then eventually die. No one who has lived before or after that year can or will qualify to be Messiah - only Jesus Christ. As we reach the end of this book, we are ending our time about 400 years before Jesus is born...but the story is not finished. God is not done with creation, there is a greater thing to come. The story of the Old Testament has ended but the story of our faith is unfinished. The story of faith is lived out each and every day in each of us and it continues to be refined by God. As you start off the study this week, share anything you wrote down from this past Sunday s message and/or share about what unfinished work do you believe God is still doing in you? 34
Read Malachi 3:1-5 Most scholars agree that the messenger in Malachi 3:1 is John the Baptist. Read the accounts of John the Baptist in Matthew 3, Luke 1 and John 1. For those who witnessed the ministry of John the Baptist, what things would they have been anticipating of the coming Messiah? How do you think Jesus would have compared to their expectations? Prophecy Fulfilled... Jesus was the awaited Messiah that Malachi speaks of in this passage. He fulfilled all the prophecies regarding the Messiah from the Old Testament. In his book Case for Christ, Lee Strobel says there are over 40 prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, and Jesus fulfilled every one. The odds of just one person fulfilling even five of these prophesies is less than one chance in one hundred million billion. The hearts of the people may very well have leaped within them as they heard Malachi assure them that the Messiah would come to their temple. The nation had long been looking forward to the Messiah s return. They could not have been excited for long though. The reason? Yes, the Messiah was coming, but he would not do what they were expecting. He was not going to come to just overthrow all other nations. Rather, He would come to deal with the sins of Israel first and foremost. Malachi s generation did not understand that the coming of the Lord would only be a comfort to those who were ready for it, that is, to those with hearts of true faith. They thought when the Lord came, he would straighten out everyone except his own people. They did not realize that he would start obliterating evil by taking dead aim on the hearts of his own cold, unbelieving people. When Jesus came, he made no move to overthrow the Roman government and to restore Israel to the position she had enjoyed under David and Solomon. Rather, he came calling his own people and the religious leaders to repent (Matt. 4:17; 23:1 39), and insisting that his kingdom was not of this world (Luke 17:21; John 18:36). 35
Look up the definition of refine. Is refinement a positive or negative process? What does refinement look like in our world today? What kinds of things need to be refined and washed clean in you personally? Malachi 3:3 says Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. The former years refer to times where Israel was faithful and they were pleasing to the Lord. The story of their faith was a tumultuous one with may ups and downs; times where they were close to God and times where they were far from Him. As you look back upon your faith journey, have there been ups and downs? Can you recall a time where you can say you were more acceptable to the Lord and times where you were not? The passage is just not about judgment but rather of God holding out the door of mercy for Israel and us today. How can you see the mercy of God here? How can you see it in your own lives? Read Malachi 3:6-12 The Lord begins this plea by assuring the people that he has not changed. Change can only go in one of two directions; becoming better or worse. God can do neither. God is holding to his promise to Abraham but Israel has long turned from God s decrees. You can say the irony is that Israel has not changed either, they continue to fall away from God generation after generation. In verse 7 God is calling for Israel to return to Him. 36
What does God s plea for his people to return to him tell you about him? What does this mean to you? In what ways today can people return to God? The issue that God focusses in on is the issue of tithes and offerings. He accuses Israel of robbing him of this. But the sin of robbing God is more than just tithes and offerings for Israel and for us today. In what other ways though can believers today rob God? What do you think holds people back in regards to their financial offerings to God? What changes needed to be done in our lives to allow us to be more faithful in our offerings? 37
From the OT to NT to Today? The question we always must ask when dealing with Old Testament practices and commands is this: Does the New Testament (1) embrace and continue, or (2) modify, or (3) do away with this Old Testament practice? The New Testament surely set aside the clean/unclean food regulations of the Old Testament. By and large, the Ten Commandments have been carried over into the New Testament. Some laws which pertained to the administration of justice have been modified. We are not to stone adulterers today, though we are to not simply ignore the sin but rather address it according to Matthew 18. So, the question is, where does tithing fit into this scheme? Has it been brought over into the New Testament age, or has it been set aside, or modified? I would have to say that the whole tithing system cannot be brought over entirely to present day. We are not physical Israel. We don t live in the promised land. We don t have a Levitical priesthood, or sacrifices to offer (literally, at least). We are, however, to support those who minister to us (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). We are to give to the poor, especially the saints (Acts 6:1-6; Romans 12:13; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9). From 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 and Philippians 4, our giving should be out of gratitude, and something we joyfully do. The whole concept of stewardship should abolish the mindset that says, Ten percent of what I own is to be given to God, but the remaining ninety percent is mine. It is all God s. As stewards, we are to wisely invest it for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. The Apostle Paul doesn t appeal to the Law as the basis for giving, as though it was only our duty. Paul speaks of giving as though it were our delight, as it should be. The Malachi text s purpose is not to badger people today to give 10%. It does reaffirm though the concept of the believer who faithfully offers back to God what he has blessed us with. The reality of the study of tithes and offerings for today often ends with this... We should give. Most of us should give more than we do. But we do it out of a love for God, out of an understanding that the blessings of God are for his kingdom s glory and expansion and that he is able to give us more than we ever imagined... 38
Matthew 6:33 says, 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. This passage is in the context of other verses that talk about giving to the needy, the Lord s prayer, treasures in heaven and not worrying. What do you think it is saying to us today? Would Jesus say the exact same thing if he were speaking to the church today? The passage is not trying to make the point that if we put $5 into the offering plate this week God will allow us to somehow receive $1000 in return. The true test is a test of our trust and faith in God. Do we or do we not believe that God will take care of us better than we can ourselves? What makes it difficult to always remember this promise in Malachi and Matthew? How have you experienced the floodgate blessings of God in your lives? When others around us look at our lives do they see that we are blessed or that we are smart intelligent people who have planned well and have it all together? Think about some ways in which God s work could be advanced by his people giving more generously. Think about your own spending. What can you do to free up more of your money for the Lord s work? 39
Read Malachi 3:13-18 If we are honest with ourselves. At some point in our faith we have wondered about the futility of serving God. Perhaps it s because we saw the godless get ahead in this world. Perhaps it s because we experienced pain ourselves. But verses 16-17 remind us of the glory for those who choose to remain faithful; who feared the Lord. How do you think it made the Israelites who had been faithful feel to hear this message? What do you think it means to fear the Lord as mentioned in the passage? The premise in verse 16 is that a group of people realised the folly of their ways started talking with one another and calling each other back in their faith. Today you may find people like this in various areas of your life, including your cell group. How can this cell group be a place where we can be accountable to each other in our faith and call one another to return to God if we see someone falling away? What makes something like this difficult and hard to do? Read Malachi 4:1-6 Malachi 4 is the end of the Old Testament. It closes off the story that God has been working out since the first day of creation in Genesis 1. But it also opens the door to another story yet to come. It acts like the final teasing moments of a movie where it just about ends but then at the last moment a glimpse of something occurs that allows you to see that yes indeed there will be a part 2. A sequel is to come. And indeed there is a second part to this story. The covenant of old, will give way to a new and perfect covenant in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And indeed then the great dreadful day of the Lord will come. 40
Malachi 4:1-3 is talking about the end final judgement. It is pretty clear which side you would want to be on when that day comes. What kind of image has been painted for us here? This imagery is not Malachi s alone. It is found in many Scriptures and most notably in the teaching of Jesus Christ. Read Matthew 3:12; 13:30; Mark 9:43 49; Luke 16:19 31 and John 15:6. What is your response to the reality of God s judgement? How might this affect the way in which you live for him in your work, neighborhood, church, in sharing the gospel with other people? Verses 5 and 6 once again point to the mercy of God. It is in his plan to judge but greater in his heart is the reconciliation of his people to him. The image of children and parents reflects a change in heart and turning back to God. When you think about God, how do you personally see him? Do you ever struggle to see God as a God of love and reconciliation? How does this affect you ability to share God s love with non-believers? 41
How does this affect your ability to worship God as he desires to be worshiped? Throughout Israel s history, the nation failed to truly worship God and God called His people back to Himself. Each time, Israel would fail again, prompting the cycle to begin again. God s final word of the Old Testament concerns judgment for sin and testifies to our inability to love Him without the help of His grace. Malachi s call prompts us to live faithfully before God and offers hope that God is not yet through with extending mercy to His people. God has unfinished business in our world but he especially has unfinished business in your life. 42
Take Away As you go through this week continue to think through the unfinished work that God is doing in your life. Find a person to share with a tangible change that you would like God to do and have them pray for you. Chapter 3 & 4 S.O.A.P. Readings 1) Malachi 3: 6-12 2) Malachi 3: 13-17 3) Malachi 4: 1-5 43
CYMBALA'S EASTER STORY Jim Cymbala preaches at a church in the slums of New York. He tells the following story: It was Easter Sunday and I was so tired at the end of the day that I just went to the edge of the platform, pulled down my tie and sat down and draped my feet over the edge. It was a wonderful service with many people coming forward. The counselors were talking with these people. As I was sitting there I looked up the middle aisle, and there in about the third row was a man who looked about fifty, disheveled, filthy. He looked up at me rather sheepishly, as if saying, Could I talk to you? We have homeless people coming in all the time, asking for money or whatever. So as I sat there, I said to myself, though I am ashamed of it, What a way to end a Sunday. I ve had such a good time, preaching and ministering, and here s a fellow probably wanting some money for more wine. He walked up. When he got within about five feet of me, I smelled a horrible smell like I d never smelled in my life. It was so awful that when he got close, I would inhale by looking away, and then I d talk to him, and then look away to inhale, because I couldn t inhale facing him. I asked him, What s your name? David. How long have you been on the street? Six years. How old are you? Thirty-two. He looked fifty--hair matted; front teeth missing; wino; eyes slightly glazed. Where did you sleep last night, David? Abandoned truck. I keep in my back pocket a money clip that also holds some credit cards. I fumbled to pick one out thinking; I ll give him some money. I won t even get a volunteer. They are all busy talking with others. Usually we don t give money to people. We take them to get something to eat. I took the money out. David pushed his finger in front of me. He said, I don t want your money. I want this Jesus, the One you 44
were talking about, because I m not going to make it. I m going to die on the street. I completely forgot about David, and I started to weep for myself. I was going to give a couple of dollars to someone God had sent to me. See how easy it is? I could make the excuse I was tired. There is no excuse. I was not seeing him the way God sees him. I was not feeling what God feels. But oh, did that change! David just stood there. He didn t know what was happening. I pleaded with God, God, forgive me! Forgive me! Please forgive me. I am so sorry to represent You this way. I m so sorry. Here I am with my message and my points, and You send somebody and I am not ready for it. Oh, God! Oh how when our heart is not in tune with God s, we can miss so many things that come into our lives. We miss not only opportunities to connect with God ourselves but we can miss opportunities that God wants to use us in, to connect others to him. 45