Historical Context—before the writing of Malachi
- Exiled out of their homeland and lived in captivity
- Freed from Exile and returned to their homeland
- Rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem
Social Context—During the writing of Malachi
- Current generation lived in relative peace and had a place to worship
- God wasn’t their main concern, making life work was
- They were spiritually apathetic and disillusioned
- God response: He was mad because they were dishonoring His name
Malachi 1:1-5
- Like a good father, God affirms His love for them
- The Israelites wondered how God loved them
- God loved Israel because He has kept His covenant promise
Our Response
- Do you see God as your father and that He patiently loves you?
- When you screw up, do you first think about God’s rebuke or His love for you?
- How is the love of your earthly father an example of your heavenly father’s love?
- When you think about God’s love, what stirs inside of you?
- How do you see God’s love evident in your life?
Malachi 1:6-14
- “Isn’t it true that a son honors his father and a worker his master?” 1:6
- “it was by their shoddy, sloppy, defiling worship” that the Israelites despised God
- God was getting their leftovers.
- “You wouldn’t bring that animal to your Governor, why would you think I would like it?” 1:8
- God was their Father, Master, and King
- God’s answer to the Israelites irreverent worship were aspects of God’s character
- The Israelites lost their understanding of who God is
Application
- Everything we do is worship
- Like the Israelites, are able to make life work on our own
- Some of us have had chaos in our lives to force us closer to God
- “doing life” crowds out God
- knowing God more intimately begins with an understanding of who God is
- Our Knowledge of God has to move from our head to our heart
Reflection
- Has worship become boring and something to check off the to-do list? If so, what does that say about your view of God’s character?
- When you think about God’s love, what stirs inside of you?
- Do you view God as your Father, Master, and King? If no, why not?
- How do you relate to the Israelites?
- What is God calling you to do to pursue Him more intimately?
