Malachi – Commit to Renewing Your Love

(May 16, 2020 version)

 

   It has been said that familiarity breed contempt. Even if that is not always true, sometimes Christians suffer from their love growing cold, or growing weary in doing good. Sometimes they can approach being spiritually indifferent, apathetic, and tired of the struggle we are in here on earth. If you seem far from God, then which one of you moved? The book of Malachi pinpoints a number of different things that can sap us of our zeal for God, making our life boring, and exhorts us to commit to doing something about those things.

 

Malachi tackles some difficult subjects with God asking some pointed questions. It is important for us to ask ourselves these same questions, while we still have time on earth to do something about these things. God wants to do more than just get us saved. He wants us (our responsibility) to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to acts according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12b-13 NIV)

 

Dating of 1 Malachi: Malachi was written about 450 to 430 B.C. It has after the temple was rebuilt in 515 B.C., and during the same compromising spiritual conditions that Ezra and Nehemiah encountered after 444 B.C.

 

Who was Malachi? While “Malachi” could have been the personal name of the prophet. The word “Malachi” meaning Messenger, is otherwise unknown as a personal name, as is the name David. Malachi might be a shortened form of the name Malachijah, the Lord is my messenger. However, if Malachi was just a description, this would be the only Old Testament prophetic book where the write was anonymous. The book of Malachi has a unique style; it is in the form of a dialog or debate between the Lord and His people.

 

The 15 Pre-Nicene (up to 325 A.D.) writers who quote from Malachi

Clement of Rome (96-98 A.D.)

Hippolytus (222-235/236 A.D.)

Justin Martyr (c.138-165 A.D.)

Origen (225-254 A.D.)

Melito of Sardis (170-177/180 A.D.)

Cyprian of Carthage (c.246-258A.D.)

Theophilus of Antioch (c168-181/188 A.D.)

Adamantius (c.300 A.D.)

Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.)

Methodius (270-311/312 A.D.)

To Diognetus (c.130-200 A.D.)

Lactantius (c.303-c.325 A.D.)

Clement of Alexandria (193-202 A.D.)

Alexander of Alexandria (313-326 A.D.)

Tertullian (198-220 A.D.)

 

 

Earliest manuscripts of Malachi

4Q76 contains Malachi 2:10-17; 3:1-24

4Q78 contains Malachi 3:6-7?

Vaticanus (A) (325-350 A.D.)

Sinaiticus (Si) (340-350 A.D.)

 

An Outline of Malachi

Mal 1:1-5 - God, how have you loved us?

Mal 1:6-2:9 - Priests, where is my honor?

Mal 2:10-16 – To the disloyal, why did you make commitments to others?

Mal 2:17-3:5 - To the lukewarm, both hope and fear God

Mal 3:6-12 - To the stingy, why not be in God’s blessing?

Mal 3:13-4:3 - To the wishy-washy, determine to fear and honor God

Mal 4:4-6 - To those forgetful of their hope, be prepared for God’s Coming


Malachi 1:1-2:9 – God, How Have You Loved us?

 

1. In Mal 1:1-4 and Rom 9:13, how did God love Jacob and hate Esau?

 

 

 

2. In Mal 1:6-8,12; 2:1, how do believers sometimes fail to honor God as they should?

 

 

 

3. In Mal 1:6-8, how can someone be so self-centered that they are unaware they are not loving God, or others?

 

 

4. In Mal 1:10 what are some ways people blindly give lame offerings to God today?

 

 

 

5. In Mal 1:10, why did God go so far here as to ask the Temple doors be shut?

 

 

 

6. In Mal 1:11, why did Malachi mention the worship of Gentiles here?

 

 

7. In Mal 1:13-14, when is worship a wearisome bore to God?

 

 

 

8. In Mal 2:1, what is the difference between God cursing someone and cursing their blessings?

 

 

 

9. In Mal 2:3, how could God corrupt their seed?

 

 

10. In Mal 2:6, how did Levi walk with God in truth and peace, since Levi and Simeon deceived a whole town and killed them in Gen 34:25?

 

 

11. In Mal 2:8, how do lying priests and ministers cause others to stumble?

 

 

12. In Mal 2:8, do we have a good excuse to stumble when we see lying priests or ministers?

 

 

13. In Mal 2:9, why was it poetic justice that God made the corrupt priests contemptible in the eyes of others?


Malachi 2:10-3:5 – To the Disloyal and Lukewarm

 

1. In Mal 2:10, how is God our Father here?

 

 

 

 

2. In Mal 2:11-16, Hosea, and 2 Cor 6:14-16, why are the sins of idolatry and adultery sometimes intermixed in scripture?

 

 

 

 

3. In Mal 2:14-16, should Jews back then not divorce their wives, or divorce their pagan wives as Ezra 10:11-44 implies?

 

 

 

 

4. In Mal 2:16, why does God hate/detest divorce?

 

 

 

 

5. In Mal 2:17, how do some people’s words weary God?

 

 

 

 

6. In Mal 3:1-3, who are the messengers here?

 

 

 

 

7. What does Mal 3:1 say about the deity of Christ?

 

 

 

 

8. In Mal 3:1, was Jesus Christ an angel?

 

 

 

 

9. In Mal 3:2, who will stand when God appears?


Malachi 3:6-18 – Are you All In?

 

1. Does Mal 3:6, show that God will always communicate with new revelation and scripture, as some Mormons claim?

 

 

 

2. In Mal 3:6-12 what is unusual about these verses?

 

 

 

3. In Mal 3:8-10, how can people rob the all-knowing, all-powerful God?

 

 

 

 

4. In Mal 3:10, should believers tithe the money today?

 

 

 

 

5. In Mal 3:10, since Christ came, can believers still “rob God” today?

 

 

 

 

6. Does Mal 3:10 teach that tithing will always pay off for us financially in this life?

 

 

 

 

7. In Mal 3:10, today would God not bless a believer who does not give to God?

 

 

 

 

8. In Mal 3:14, why do some disrespect God by thinking it is useless to serve Him?

 

 

 

 

9. In Mal 3:17 and 1 Peter 1:7, how can people of faith remind themselves that they are God’s “treasured possession”?

 

 

 

 

10. In Mal 3:18, do you see today much distinction between the righteous and the wicked?


Malachi 4 – Wait for the Day of the Lord

 

1. Do Mal 4:1 and Am 2:9 teach annihilation as some Seventh-Day Adventists say?

 

 

 

 

2. In Mal 4:2, how does the sun of righteousness rise with healing in his wings?

 

 

 

 

3. In Mal 4:3, when and how do believers tread down the wicked?

 

 

 

 

4. In Mal 4:4 and other places, why are believers told to “remember” so often?

 

 

 

 

5. In Mal 4:5-6, how were the children turned to their fathers and fathers turned to their children?

 

 

 

 

6. Does Mal 4:5-6 refer to baptism for the dead, as Mormon president James Talmadge claimed in The Vitality of Mormonism, 71?

 

 

 

 

7. In Mal 4; Isa 13:6-10; Jer 46:10; Joel 2:31; Zeph 1:14-2:3, Zech 12:10-14 what would an Jewish person, living before Christ, be able to figure out about the future Day of the Lord?

 

 


Elijah would come first. Malachi 4:5. He would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers, or else God will curse the land. Malachi 4:6

It will burn like an oven for the proud Malachi 4:1

It would bring destruction from God’s fierce anger punishing the wicked. Isa 13:9,11; Jer 46:10

It has something to do with the River Euphrates. Jeremiah 46:10f; Isaiah 11:15-16

The star and moon will not shine, and the sun will be darkened. Isaiah 13:10

It will be like a sunrise for the righteous. Malachi 4:2

There will be a slaughter of the wicked. Malachi 4:3

The Israelites will mourn the One they have pierced. Zech 12:10-14

Of course, they did not have any idea of the order. Following is a listing of Old Testament details on the end times, though most of them were not explicitly said to be “the Day of the Lord”.

Concept or phrase

Old Testament

New Testament

Sevenfold Spirit

Zech 3:9; Isa 11:2

Rev 1:4; 4:5

A kingdom and priests

Ex 19:6

Rev 1:6; 5:10

Jesus comes with the clouds; every eye shall see Jesus return

Dan 7:13

Rev 1:7; Mt 24:30; Mk 13:26; Lk 21:27; Acts 1:11;

Wicked pierced Jesus and will mourn

Zech 12:10-14

Rev 1:7

Second death

Isa 66:24;

Mt 13:24-43,50; Mt 25:41-46; Rev 2:11; 14:10-11; 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:8

Never be blotted out of the Book of Life

Ex 32:32-33; Ps 69:28

Rev 3:5; 20:12

The Book of Life

Dan 12:1; Lk 10:20; Ex 2:32-33; Ps 69:28

Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27

What God shuts none can open. What God opens none can shut

Isaiah 22:22

Rev 3:7

As many as are loved are chastened

Pr 3:11-12

Heb 12:5-11; Rev 3:19

The throne room in Heaven

Isa 6:1-7; Ezek 1;10:1-22

Rev 4:1-11

Lightning from the throne

Ezek 1:4,13,14

Rev 4:5;8:5;11:19; 16:18

Four Living Creatures

Ezek 1:5-19; 10:10-14

Rev 4:6; 19:4

Sea of glass

Ezek 1:22

Rev 4:6; 15:2

Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty / Lord of Hosts

Isaiah 6:3

Rev 4:8

Plague and death come before God

Ps 50:3

Mt 24:7; Rev 6:7-8

Sword, famine, wild beasts and plague

Ezek 14:21

Rev 6:8

Sun turns dark and moon turns to blood

Joel 2:2,10; 3:15; Isa 24:23; Amos 8:4

Mk 13:24; Lk 21:25; Rev 6:12-13

The stars fall from the sky

Joel 2:10; Isa 13:10

Rev 6:13; Mk 13:25

Sky receded like a scroll

Isaiah 34:4

Rev 6:14

Earthquake at the end

Jeremiah 4:24; Isaiah 29:6; Nahum 1:5

Mt 24:7; Mk 13:8; Lk 21:11; Rev 6:12; 8:5; 11:13,19; 16:18-19

People hide in caves from God’s wrath

Isaiah 2:10-11; 19-21

Lk 21:26; Rev 6:14-17

Four destructive angels

Zechariah 6:1-8; ~Jer 49:36

Rev 7:1

God’s name will be on our foreheads

Ezekiel 9:4

Rev 7:3; 9:4; 14:1;22:4

The great silence

Zechariah 2:13; Hab 2:20

Rev 8:1

Trees and grass burned up

Joel 1:19

Rev 8:7

Water turned to wormwood

Jeremiah 9:15

Rev 8:10-11

Dreaded locusts, looking like horses

Joel 2:3-11; Ezek 5:17?

Rev 9:1-12

Euphrates River

Isaiah 11:15-16; Jer 46:10f

Rev 9:14; 16:12

Parts of God’s Revelation sealed up

Daniel 12:9; Isaiah 29:11-12

Rev 10:4

Eating a scroll

Ezekiel 2:9-3:3

Rev 10:9-10

Measuring the temple

Ezekiel 30-43

Rev 11:1-2

3 1/2 years

Daniel 9:26-27; 12:7,11

Rev 11:1-3; 12:6; 13:5

Two olive trees and two lampstands

Zechariah 4:3,11-14

Rev 11:4

Michael

Daniel 12:1

Jude 9; Rev 12:7

Dragon casting down stars

Daniel 8:10

Rev 12:4

Satan being cast out of Heaven

Ezekiel 28:16-17

Rev 12:9

A flood, or river of water

Daniel 9:26; Nahum 1:8

Rev 12:15

A beast with ten horns

Daniel 7:4-7

Rev 13:1-3; 17:3

Praise God with harps

Psalm 149:3

Rev 14:2

Singing a new song

Ps 98:1; 149:1; Isa 42:10

Rev 14:3-4

Grapes of wrath

Isaiah 63:1-6; Joel 3:13

Rev 14:17-19

Spirits sent to gather the nations for battle in general or against Edom

Obadiah 1 (Edom)

Rev 16:12-14

Great battle at Armageddon

Isaiah 34,63; Hab 3

Rev 16:14-16

The future evil of Babylon

Zech 5:5-11; Isaiah 21:9; 49:20; Jeremiah 50:2-8

1 Peter 5:13; Rev 17

Cup of the maddening wine of adultery

Jer 51:7; Ezekiel 23:31-34

Rev 17:4; 18:3

Destruction of Babylon

Isaiah 47; Jeremiah 50-51

Rev 14:8;16:19;18;19:1-4

Trading in the bodies and souls of men

Joel 3:3

Rev 18:13-14

What city is like Babylon/Tyre destroyed in the midst of the sea?

Ezekiel 27:32-34

Rev 18:17-19

Smoke goes up forever

Isaiah 34:10 (Edom)

Rev 19:3 (Babylon)

Robe is dipped in blood

Isaiah 63:1-3

Rev 19:13

Jesus coming with armies following Him

Daniel 7:10

Mt 16:27; Jude 14; Rev 19:14

River of fire coming out of the Christ / Ancient of Days

Daniel 7:10

Rev 19:16

God / Jesus treading on the winepress of the fury of the God’s wrath

Isaiah 63:1-3

Rev 19:15b

Birds gorging themselves on flesh

Deuteronomy 28:26

Mt 24:28; Lk 17:37; Rev 19:17-21

The Millennium (1000 years)

Isaiah 35

Rev 20:1-7

Coming to life again

Daniel 12:2

Rev 20:4-5

Gog and Magog killed; battle outside of Jerusalem

Ezekiel 38-39; Zech 12:7-11; 14:2-8,12; Isaiah 29:6

Rev 20:7-9

Book of deeds

~Psalm 139: 16

Rev 20:12

Death will be destroyed forever

Isaiah 25:7-8

Rev 20:14

New Heaven and new earth

Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22-24

2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1

God will live with His people in the New Jerusalem

Zechariah 8:3

Rev 21:2-3; 22:3

No need for sun and moon in Heaven

Isaiah 60:19-20

Rev 21:3-5; 22:5

Wipe away every tear

Isaiah 25:8

Rev 21:4; 7:17b

God is the beginning and the ending

Isaiah 41:4

Rev 21:6; 22:13

Believers will be God’s sons

Jeremiah 3:19

Gal 3:26; Rev 21:7

New Jerusalem on a great mountain

Micah 4:1-2

Rev 21:10

New Jerusalem: a gate for each tribe

Ezekiel 48:30-35

Rev 21:12-13

Angel with a rod to measure the city

Ezekiel 47:3-6

Rev 21:15

River/fountain flowing out of Jerusalem

Ezek47:1-2; Joel 3:18; Zech 14:8

Rev 22:1-2

The tree of life

Genesis 2:9-10; Ezek 47:12

Rev 22:2-3,14,19

Leaves of the tree of life for healing

Ezekiel 47:12

Rev 22:2

We will see God’s face

Psalm 11:7; 17:15; 27:8

Rev 22:4

Do/Do not seal up words of a prophecy

Daniel 12:4

Rev 22:10

Good and evil both increase

Daniel 12:10

Rev 22:11

 

Semi-similarities

Four horses roaming over the earth. Zech 1:8-11

Destruction of the four horsemen. Rev 6:1-8

Flying scroll of curses. Zech 5:1-4

7 seals on a scroll and their curses. Rev 6:1-7:17

Flying scroll of curses. Zech 5:1-4

Eagle flying with three woes. Rev 8:13

Measuring the city but then don’t measure it. Zech 2:1-3

Measuring the Temple but not the outer court. Rev 11:1-2


Malachi 1:1-2:9 – God, How Have You Loved us? – some brief answers

 

1. In Mal 1:1-4 and Rom 9:13, how did God love Jacob and hate Esau?

A: Three points to consider in the answer.

People, not a person: The context of this is stated to be the “land” (Malachi 1:3) and of a “wicked people” (Malachi 1:4). This was written long after Esau had died. When Critics Ask p.323 discusses this aspect more.

Degrees of love: As R.C. Sproul says in Now That’s A Good Question p.570, this is also a Jewish idiom called antithetical parallelism. This shows not hatred of Esau’s descendants, but the differential between the degree of love given to Jacob and withheld from Esau. See the discussion on Romans 9:13 for more info on God having “the right” to have a special love for some that He withholds from others. Hard Sayings of the Bible p.347-348, the New International Bible Commentary p.991, and Haley’s Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible p.97-98 also discuss this Hebrew idiom of “loving less”.

Terms of a Treaty: Walter Kaiser in A History of Israel p.389-392 mentions that these words: -“love” and “hate” have been found in treaties of this time. He gives three references of places where “love” and “hate” are used in suzerainty (pronounced SUZ-ren-ty) treaties to indicate “chosen” and “rejected”. This is consistent with the Old Testament use of “covenant-love”, which means only secondarily an emotion and primarily a choice.

   See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.295 and Eugene H. Merrill’s An Exegetical Commentary : Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi p.391 for more info.

 

2. In Mal 1:6-8,12; 2:1, how do believers sometimes fail to honor God as they should?

A: They can fail to honor God as Father, Master, and King, in at least four ways.

Attitude: The world can lull us to ingratitude. Believers can fail to be grateful, respectful, reverent, and they could doubt God’s providence. Believers can have a lack of love toward God and others.

Words: They could not honor in God what they say to others about Him. In addition to specifically saying bad things, they could have a casual tone that shows a lack of a reverent attitude.

Action: They might not be obedient and do things God does not want them to do. Romans 14:23 says that whatever is not done from faith is sin.

Inaction: believers can either not do the things God wants, or they can do things in a half-hearted manner. James 4:17 says that when some one knows what they should do and do not do it, that is sin.

   See the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.706-707 for more info.

 

3. In Mal 1:6-8, how can someone be so self-centered that they are unaware they are not loving God, or others?

A: Some people love others and use things. Other people love things and use others. It can be a combination of not being aware that you have few relationships, and being preoccupied with material things, entertainment, or career. I have heard multiple testimonies of people who were very successful advancing in the business world and that was their only goal. Then, after twenty or thirty years, they only then realized that almost nobody, and in one case even their own family, cared a bit if they were around or not.

   Even if you maintain friendships, you can still be so engrossed in the hustle and bustle of this world that you neglect to spend time with God. Make sure to take time for what is important, even if there is no deadline on that, and even if you have deadlines on other things.

   See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.295, the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.706, and Eugene H. Merrill’s An Exegetical Commentary : Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi p.403 for more info.

 

4. In Mal 1:10 what are some ways people blindly give lame offerings to God today?

A: One problem is when you feel you are doing God a favor by giving Him something. God gave you everything, you owe Him everything, and we are not doing God any favors. However, we can do things that please Him, and obediently loving Him. We are not really giving to God, rather, we are giving back to God.

   A second problem is thinking that God doesn’t care whether you do you best, second best, or just make a token effort. Not only God but others can see when you are just going through the motions making a token effort. When you are in a teaching or leadership position in a church or ministry, it can be painfully obvious when you are not really into God but only doing so half-way.

   A third problem, related to the second, is making compromises in what you give God, where God does not want you to. Priests of this time were sacrificing any animals brought forward to them, after all the meat they would get was all the same, and who cares what God commanded. Similarly getting money through questionable means, or using dishonest words or means to have donors give, saying things against what God says because that is what people want to hear are compromises to a leader obeying God. Refraining from saying what God said, because people don’t want to hear it is also a compromise.

   God took these compromises seriously. God did not hesitate to even curse His own priests, of they are insincerely serving Him. He killed Eli’s two sons in 1 Samuel 2:21-36.

   See the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.706-707 and Eugene H. Merrill’s An Exegetical Commentary : Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi p.398 for more info.

 

5. In Mal 1:10, why did God go so far here as to ask the Temple doors be shut?

A: God did not only ignore half-hearted and insincere worship and sacrifices, but those things were annoying to God. In this case God would rather have no worship than insincere worship. It was true, then and today, that some alleged ministers of God, as well as their sacrifices can be polluted and toxic. Altar fires burning spurious sacrifices are not worth kindling, according to Eugene H. Merrill’s An Exegetical Commentary : Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi p.391.

 

6. In Mal 1:11, why did Malachi mention the worship of Gentiles here?

A: Walter Kaiser, in Hard Sayings of the Old Testament p.348, points out that this was meant to startle.

1. The first Hebrew word can be translated “Yes, indeed!”

2. Malachi is saying this would happen with or without the obedience of the Jewish priests.

3. Not only would the Gentiles worship God, but sacrifices would be offered everywhere. All Jewish priests knew that sacrifices at that time were only to be offered in “their” temple.

 

7. In Mal 1:13-14, when is worship a wearisome bore to God?

A: When it is artificial, half-hearted, or hypocritical, worship is not only boring to the people pretending to worship, it can be boring to God, too.

 

8. In Mal 2:1, what is the difference between God cursing someone and cursing their blessings?

A: God cursing their blessing is a form of God cursing someone. The things that used to be blessings will now, of themselves, become curses. For example, money, used wrongly, can become a curse for the persona and their children suffering from “affluenza”. Being able to store up wealth can be a curse when they become a target.

   See the New International Bible Commentary p.992 for more info.

 

9. In Mal 2:3, how could God corrupt their seed?

A: There are three ways.

Crops: God could cause the farmers’ seed to not grow well, since they did not pay proper attention to God.

Children: God could cause their children to die, as God had David and Bathsheba’s first son die in 2 Samuel 12:14,18.

In general, God could cause the fruit of the labors to come to nothing, before their very eyes.

 

10. In Mal 2:6, how did Levi walk with God in truth and peace, since Levi and Simeon deceived a whole town and killed them in Gen 34:25?

A: Two points to consider in the answer.

Forgiveness: When God forgives some one, He forgives them completely and counts their sin as if it was never committed. That is why not only Levi, but others like David are considered righteous by God, not because they did not sin, but because God made them righteous after they sinned by forgiving their sin and cleansing them.

Life: No one who is a child of God continues in sin, as 1 John 3:6-9 says.

 

11. In Mal 2:8, how do lying priests and ministers cause others to stumble?

A: Hypocritical ministers and priests affect others by falsely indicating that truth and obedience are not important to God. After all, they are priests and they get away with it. - at least until they are judged.

   In addition, people who put their trust in the priests instead of God, will stumble when they see the priest fall.

 

12. In Mal 2:8, do we have a good excuse to stumble when we see lying priests or ministers?

A: No. Early Christians had as many excuses as we have today, there were no good excuses for them either.

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples, yet he was a thief in John 12:6. Judas, like the others, could cast out demons and preached the Gospel, in Matthew 10:1,7-8.

Jezebel led many astray in Revelation 2:20-23.

Diotrephes was a church leader who refused to recognize John’s authority in 3 John 9-10.

False apostles did not recognize Paul’s authority in 2 Corinthians 11:5-7.

Even Peter was hypocritical toward Gentiles when Paul opposed him in Galatians 2:11-16.

Even Paul and Barnabas, missionaries who loved the Lord, clashed over having Mark accompany them in Acts 15:36-41. (Though they apparently later made up, as 2 Timothy 4:11 shows.)

However, people like these should not stumble our faith, if your faith, hope, and instruction are based on God, not people. False teachers are always present, but we are to pay no attention to them (2 Timothy 3:5), and we are to keep away from the idle (2 Thessalonians 3:6) and those who reject the apostles’ teaching (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15). As for people who were preaching the true gospel insincerely, out of envy and strife, and stirring up trouble for Paul, Paul said to rejoice because they were preaching the true Gospel in Philippians 1:15-18.

 

13. In Mal 2:9, why was it poetic justice that God made the corrupt priests contemptible in the eyes of others?

A: The priests went astray and despised the things of God they should be revering. Some “ministers” today can make fun of sacred teachings and worship. The corrupt priests caused God’s name to be dishonored before others, so it was fitting that others should hold the priests in dishonor. The corrupt priests caused others to stumble, and if they eventually were held in contempt, then others would not pay attention to them and stumble more.


Malachi 2:10-3:5 – To the Disloyal and Lukewarm – some brief answers

 

1. In Mal 2:10, how is God our Father here?

A: God is our Father in more than one sense. However, Malachi 2:10 mentions God as Creator, so it is likely referring to God as the Creator of all people.

   While “Father” could refer to Jacob as the ancestor of the Jews, it more likely refers to our Creator.

 

2. In Mal 2:11-16, Hosea, and 2 Cor 6:14-16, why are the sins of idolatry and adultery sometimes intermixed in scripture?

A: While intellectually they might be different, emotionally they can be similar. In both cases, a sinner is placing hope in their happiness in something contrary to God.

The word for a chief Canaanite and Phoenician god, Ba’al (Strong’s 1168), is the same as the word for master, husband, or owner (Strong’s 1167) and very similar to the word for mistress ba-alah (Strong’s 1172). Many times a person can be a bad influence on their spouse, and lead them away fro God.

See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.716-717 for more info.

 

3. In Mal 2:14-16, should Jews back then not divorce their wives, or divorce their pagan wives as Ezra 10:11-44 implies?

A: Malachi is speaking of Jewish men divorcing their Jewish wives and marrying pagan wives. Ezra, commanding at least 14 year earlier, thought it best to command Jewish men to divorce their foreign wives. So God hating divorce (as He does today) does not mean there is never grounds for divorce (such as adultery today). So Malachi 2:14-16 does not answer the question of whether Ezra was correct when he told Jewish men to divorce their foreign wives. See An Exegetical Commentary : Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi by Eugene H. Merrill p.422-424, H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.300, and The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.717 for more info.

 

4. In Mal 2:16, why does God hate/detest divorce?

A: Malachi 2 implies that the reason is that God intended for the two to become [and remain] as one. There is often a great heartbreak among adults during a divorce. How much more difficult it can be for the children. 1 Corinthians 7:14 mentions the children as part of the reason a woman should stay married to even an unbelieving husband.

   See Hard Sayings of the Bible p.349-350 for more info.

 

5. In Mal 2:17, how do some people’s words weary God?

A: Some prayers God answers as “no”, because they are not good for us or others. However, other prayers, God has said He will not answer at all, and these apparently are merely wearisome to God. There are at least fourteen reasons why God sometimes does not answer prayer.

1. Not for spending on our passions. James 4:3

2. Requests must be for good things. Matthew 7:11

3. It is not God’s will to have them. Mark 14:36

4. He hears, but we have to wait. Daniel 10:12-14

5. Our prayers are simply vain repetition. Matthew 6:7

6. Yet we have to [meaningfully] persist. Luke 11:5-10, 18:1-7

7. We need self-control, 1 Peter 4:7, or are double-minded. James 1:7,8

8. We have sinned, such as divorce. Malachi 2:13-14

9. We ignore God and His law. Zechariah 7:13; Proverbs 28:9

10. We ignore the cry of the poor. Proverbs 21:13

11. We are inconsiderate of our wives. 1 Peter 3:7

12. God will not hear if they are still worshipping idols Ezekiel 8:8-18

13. Their hands are filled with blood. Isaiah 1:15

14. We cherish sin in our hearts. Psalms 66:18-19, or are wicked Proverbs 15:29; Isaiah 59:1-3; or turn a deaf ear to the poor (Proverbs 21:13). God does not hear us when we choose not to hear God. Zechariah 7:11-14.

 

6. In Mal 3:1-3, who are the messengers here?

A: The first messenger is John the Baptist, as shown by Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2, and Luke 7:27. Origen (c.227-c240 A.D.) says this refers to John the Baptist in his Commentary on John book 6 ch.10 p.359. Irenaeus of Lyons (182-188 A.D.) in Against Heresies book 3 chapter 11 p.427 also alludes to Malachi 3:1, saying this referred to John the Baptist. After the Lord is mentioned, the messenger of the covenant here is Jesus Christ according to the New Geneva Study Bible p.1492. See also H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.302 for more info. See also the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.709 and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1583 for more info.

 

7. What does Mal 3:1 say about the deity of Christ?

A: the word “Lord” here is adon, as distinct from Yhwh. Yet the messenger will come before “me”, who is the One inspiring this verse. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.719 for more info.

 

8. In Mal 3:1, was Jesus Christ an angel?

A: No, not in the normally understood meaning. Jesus was God’s messenger. In the broadest sense, since an angel is a messenger, one could say Jesus performed the role of a messenger/angel. However, in the regular sense, Jesus is not an angel according to Hebrews 1:5,6. Hebrews 2:16-17 shows Jesus took a human nature as opposed to an angelic one. See 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.64 for more info.

 

9. In Mal 3:2, who will stand when God appears?

A: Malachi is earnestly asking this question. None will be righteous to stand when Christ appears. Every knee will bow when Christ comes according to Philippians 2:10. But those who long for His appearing will stand, not due to our righteousness, but to His.

   See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.719 for more info.


Malachi 3:6-18 – Are you All In? – some brief answers

 

1. Does Mal 3:6, show that God will always communicate with new revelation and scripture, as some Mormons claim?

A: According to When Cultists Ask p.90 Mormons such as Van Gordon claim that since God does not change, and God once used revelation and new scripture, God always does so.

   Logically, one should not confuse God’s methods, which can change, from God Himself, who is changeless.

   One key attribute of God is that He does not lie (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18), and God does not contradict Himself. Now some Mormon prophets have given some very strange teaching. For example, Brigham Young preached that “Adam is our God and Father, the only God with whom we have to do (Journal of Discourses volume 1 p.50-51). One should not try to justify strange teachings, including Brigham Young’s, by hiding behind the idea that God has to change.

   But we should not be surprised by this. Paul warned us in Galatians 1:6-9 that some would preach another gospel, which is no gospel at all, and be accursed. Some would preach a different, Jesus, with a different spirit, and a different gospel in 2 Corinthians 11:4. Peter prophesies there would be false prophets bringing in destructive heresies in 2 Peter 2:1-2, and that many would follow them.

 

2. In Mal 3:6-12 what is unusual about these verses?

A: These verses for a chiasm, which is common in Hebrew poetry.

3:6 A divine promise

- 3:7 An appeal to repent

- - 3:8 Indictment

- - - 3:9a The verdict of a curse

- - 3:9f Indictment

- 3:10-11 Promise of blessings on those who repent

3:12 Promise of a Messianic vision

See An Exegetical Commentary : Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi by Eugene H. Merrill p.436 fore more info.

 

3. In Mal 3:8-10, how can people rob the all-knowing, all-powerful God?

A: Obviously, God would not be “robbed” of the praise, honor, and offering He is due unless He allowed Himself to be, by giving us the freedom to chose to do so.

   However, God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7), and in the end, nobody will get away with anything.

   One specific way people are “robbing God” here is by not paying their offerings. One way of robbing is not keeping back for yourself what belongs to others.

   See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.740 and H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.303 for more info.

 

4. In Mal 3:10, should believers tithe the money today?

A: Since Christ’s death and resurrection, Christians are led by the Spirit, not by law (Galatians 5:18). See also Colossians 2:14, so we do not have a “rule” that we have to give exactly ten percent. However, since we have dedicated our lives to Christ, many Christians give more than ten percent, not to follow a rule, but out of love and gratitude for Christ. In a sense “ten percent” defines the basis for generosity in giving. Of course in Old Testament times there was not a requirement to give exactly ten percent. People were free to give 15, 20, or 25 percent too. Ten percent, back then was just the minimum.

    Unfortunately sometimes people’s motives in giving can be tainted with a false teaching called “prosperity gospel”. This is a teaching of giving money to God, or often more specifically the TV preacher, in order for God to give you more back.

See the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1176, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1585-1586, and Now That’s A Good Question p.436-438 for more info.

 

5. In Mal 3:10, since Christ came, can believers still “rob God” today?

A: We can rob God of our time with Him, not spending time with Him personally in prayer. Just as someone can neglect their spouse or children by their lack of presence, or unwillingness to spend time with them, we can do the same with God.

   We can not give to God of our money, times, and talents. If Jesus is our Lord, then we are God’s servants, and our lives belong to Jesus, not to ourselves. When God tells us to love others, including helping others, are we really God’s servants or not?

   While we should take care of ourselves and our families, part of the problem is not trusting God that He will take care of us, and we need to take care of our situation apart from God. A second problem is not seeing where we can invest in others, because we have our eyes closed to their needs.

 

6. Does Mal 3:10 teach that tithing will always pay off for us financially in this life?

A: No. We might end up as materially wealthy as Jesus, Paul, and the rest of the apostles. None of them had any material wealth of which to speak. See Hard Sayings of the Bible p.351-352 for a more extensive answer.

 

7. In Mal 3:10, today would God not bless a believer who does not give to God?

A: A “hard-and-fast rule” is that God will deal with every believer as He sees fit. But in general, God wants us to teach us to follow Him more closely. When we have not learned to give to our Master, God greatly blessing us could rob us of the ability to learn. Withholding blessing from us might be the only way for us to eventually get through our head that God is serious when He asks us to give everything over to Him.

   Remember, giving us blessings now is not an important concern of God’s, and nor should it be for us. God’s important concerns are that His Name be glorified, and that we grow up as His children into the kind of people, with the kind of love and character that God wants us to have. But if you want God’s blessings, then don’t focus on God’s blessings; instead focus on what He wants you to focus on.

 

8. In Mal 3:14, why do some disrespect God by thinking it is useless to serve Him?

A: They are not seeing the eternal perspective. From an earthly standpoint, many times it is financially foolish and physically dangerous to serve God. Yet, 1 Corinthians 1:18-26 says that God’s wisdom is foolishness to the world. From an eternal perspective, serving God is the wisest long-term investment in the future one can make.

   A second point is that it is useless to serve God half-heartedly. As James 1:6-8 says, the double-minded will not receive anything from the Lord. So some people can hold out on God, only serving Him partially, and then feel God has let them down by not blessing them.

   See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.304 and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1585 for more info.

 

9. In Mal 3:17 and 1 Peter 1:7, how can people of faith remind themselves that they are God’s “treasured possession”?

A: The Hebrew word here, Segulla, is a broad word means those greatly beloved of God. During Easter, we can think, “Who did Jesus give His life for. His life was precious, and yet He gave it up for us! Knowing everything He knew, Jesus not only thought it was worthwhile, but He did it “because of the joy set before Him” in Hebrews 12:2. See the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.711 for more info.

 

10. In Mal 3:18, do you see today much distinction between the righteous and the wicked?

A: No, Yes, and certainly Yes.

No: in terms of financial prosperity, health, popularity, and power, we don’t see much distinction. There are many successful people, who started successful companies, who are no-believers, and there are many successful people, who started successful companies, who are Christians. Many non-Christians develop serious health problems, and so do Christians.

   But Yes, in terms of relationships, including marriage, self-discipline, and personal happiness, on the whole it is better to be a Christian than not.

   But our main reward is not temporal but eternal, and we must not forget that we are just “passing through” this life on our way to our real home in Heaven.

   See An Exegetical Commentary : Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi p.445-446 for more info.


Malachi 4 – Wait for the Day of the Lord – some brief answers

 

1. Do Mal 4:1 and Am 2:9 teach annihilation as some Seventh-Day Adventists say?

A: No. When Malachi 4:1 says the wicked will be burned up as stubble with neither root nor branch. No branches means no descendants, and no root means they are destroyed such that they can never grow again. See 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.153, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1587, and H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.307-308 for more info.

 

2. In Mal 4:2, how does the sun of righteousness rise with healing in his wings?

A: There are two applications of this beautiful poetic expression.

Individually, God would forgive them of their sins, and heal them of their unrighteousness.

Corporately, when God’s people turn to Him, God would heal their land, as God promised in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

The sun breaking through is very welcome after a storm. Of course daybreak might not be so welcome for creatures of the night, when they are more exposed.

   See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.306-307 for more info.

 

3. In Mal 4:3, when and how do believers tread down the wicked?

A: Jude 14-15 says that when Christ comes again in triumph, holy ones will follow after him. However, neither Malachi 4:3 nor Jude say that believers will kill anyone. Malachi 4:3 simply says that we will tread on their ashes.

 

4. In Mal 4:4 and other places, why are believers told to “remember” so often?

The Hebrew word for remember, zakar, is used 14 times in Deuteronomy. Apparently it is too easy for believers to forget who we are, as Peter cautions use against in 2 Peter 1:9. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1587 for more info.

 

5. In Mal 4:5-6, how were the children turned to their fathers and fathers turned to their children?

A: This occurred when many people repented after hearing the message of John the Baptist. People turned back to the ways for their godly forefathers, and they taught their children to do so.

   Unfortunately, everyone did not listen to John the Baptist, as Luke 7:29-35 shows.

 

6. Does Mal 4:5-6 refer to baptism for the dead, as Mormon president James Talmadge claimed in The Vitality of Mormonism, 71?

A: No, for three reasons.

1. This verse does not refer to baptism, to the dead, or any sacrament or ordinance. Rather, it refers to John the Baptist serving as a forerunner to Jesus, turning the people back to God.

2. Neither Mormons nor others have found any evidence of baptism for the dead in history, until a false religious group called the Serinthians practiced this in Corinth in Paul’s day.

3. It is hard to believe that even Mormons would consider this a baptism for the dead. To Mormons baptism for the dead is a secret ceremony, that only Temple Mormons are allowed to view. John was doing this in the open, and skeptical Pharisees and scribes were coming and going while John was baptizing.

   See When Cultists Ask p.91-92 for more info.

 

7. In Mal 4; Isa 13:6-10; Jer 46:10; Joel 2:31; Zeph 1:14-2:3, Zech 12:10-14 what would an obedient Jewish person, living before Christ, be able to figure out about the future Day of the Lord?

A: Here are some of the things they would know about the Day of the Lord.

Elijah would come first. Malachi 4:5

Elijah will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers, or else God will curse the land. Malachi 4:6

It will burn like an oven for the proud Malachi 4:1

It would bring destruction from God’s fierce anger punishing the wicked. Isaiah 13:9,11; Jeremiah 46:10

It has something to do with the River Euphrates. Jeremiah 46:10f; Isaiah 11:15-16

The star and moon will not shine, and the sun will be darkened. Isaiah 13:10

It will be like a sunrise for the righteous. Malachi 4:2

There will be a slaughter of the wicked. Malachi 4:3

The Israelites will mourn the One they have pierced. Zech 12:10-14

Of course, they did not have any idea of the order.


 

Following is a listing of Old Testament details on the end times, though most of them were not explicitly said to be “the Day of the Lord”.

Concept or phrase

Old Testament

New Testament

Sevenfold Spirit

Zech 3:9; Isa 11:2

Rev 1:4; 4:5

A kingdom and priests

Ex 19:6

Rev 1:6; 5:10

Jesus comes with the clouds; every eye shall see Jesus return

Dan 7:13

Rev 1:7; Mt 24:30; Mk 13:26; Lk 21:27; Acts 1:11;

Wicked pierced Jesus and will mourn

Zech 12:10-14

Rev 1:7

Hair white like wool

Dan 7:9

Rev 1:14

Second death

Isa 66:24;

Mt 13:24-43,50; Mt 25:41-46; Rev 2:11; 14:10-11; 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:8

Never be blotted out of the Book of Life

Ex 32:32-33; Ps 69:28

Rev 3:5; 20:12

The Book of Life

Dan 12:1; Lk 10:20; Ex 2:32-33; Ps 69:28

Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27

What God shuts none can open. What God opens none can shut

Isaiah 22:22

Rev 3:7

As many as are loved are chastened

Pr 3:11-12

Heb 12:5-11; Rev 3:19

The throne room in Heaven

Isa 6:1-7; Ezek 1;10:1-22

Rev 4:1-11

Lightning from the throne

Ezek 1:4,13,14

Rev 4:5;8:5;11:19; 16:18

Four Living Creatures

Ezek 1:5-19; 10:10-14

Rev 4:6; 19:4

Sea of glass

Ezek 1:22

Rev 4:6; 15:2

Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty / Lord of Hosts

Isaiah 6:3

Rev 4:8

Plague and death come before God

Ps 50:3

Mt 24:7; Rev 6:7-8

Sword, famine, wild beasts and plague

Ezek 14:21

Rev 6:8

Sun turns dark and moon turns to blood

Joel 2:2,10; 3:15; Isa 24:23; Amos 8:4

Mk 13:24; Lk 21:25; Rev 6:12-13

The stars fall from the sky

Joel 2:10; Isa 13:10

Rev 6:13; Mk 13:25

Sky receded like a scroll

Isaiah 34:4

Rev 6:14

Earthquake at the end

Jeremiah 4:24; Isaiah 29:6; Nahum 1:5

Mt 24:7; Mk 13:8; Lk 21:11; Rev 6:12; 8:5; 11:13,19; 16:18-19

People hide in caves from God’s wrath

Isaiah 2:10-11; 19-21

Lk 21:26; Rev 6:14-17

Four destructive angels

Zechariah 6:1-8; ~Jer 49:36

Rev 7:1

God’s name will be on our foreheads

Ezekiel 9:4

Rev 7:3; 9:4; 14:1;22:4

The great silence before the Lord

Hab 2:20; Zeph 1:7; Zech 2:13

Rev 8:1

Trees and grass burned up

Joel 1:19

Rev 8:7

Water turned to wormwood

Jeremiah 9:15

Rev 8:10-11

Dreaded locusts, looking like horses

Joel 2:3-11; Ezek 5:17?

Rev 9:1-12

Euphrates River

Isaiah 11:15-16; Jer 46:10f

Rev 9:14; 16:12

Parts of God’s Revelation sealed up

Daniel 12:9; Isaiah 29:11-12

Rev 10:4

Angel raising right hand and swearing

Daniel 12:7

Rev 10:5

Eating a scroll

Ezekiel 2:9-3:3

Rev 10:9-10

Measuring the temple

Ezekiel 30-43

Rev 11:1-2

3 1/2 years

Daniel 9:26-27; 12:7,11

Rev 11:1-3; 12:6; 13:5

Two olive trees and two lampstands

Zechariah 4:3,11-14

Rev 11:4

Michael

Daniel 12:1

Jude 9; Rev 12:7

Dragon casting down stars

Daniel 8:10

Rev 12:4

Satan being cast out of Heaven

Ezekiel 28:16-17

Rev 12:9

A flood, or river of water

Daniel 9:26; Nahum 1:8

Rev 12:15

A beast with ten horns

Daniel 7:4-7

Rev 13:1-3; 17:3

Praise God with harps

Psalm 149:3

Rev 14:2

Singing a new song

Ps 98:1; 149:1; Isa 42:10

Rev 14:3-4

Grapes of wrath

Isaiah 63:1-6; Joel 3:13

Rev 14:17-19

Spirits sent to gather the nations for battle in general or against Edom

Obadiah 1 (Edom)

Rev 16:12-14

Great battle at Armageddon

Isaiah 34,63; Hab 3

Rev 16:14-16

The future evil of Babylon

Zech 5:5-11; Isaiah 21:9; 49:20; Jeremiah 50:2-8

1 Peter 5:13; Rev 17

Cup of the maddening wine of adultery

Jer 51:7; Ezekiel 23:31-34

Rev 17:4; 18:3

Destruction of Babylon

Isaiah 47; Jeremiah 50-51

Rev 14:8;16:19;18;19:1-4

Trading in the bodies and souls of men

Joel 3:3

Rev 18:13-14

What city is like Babylon/Tyre destroyed in the midst of the sea?

Ezekiel 27:32-34

Rev 18:17-19

Smoke goes up forever

Isaiah 34:10 (Edom)

Rev 19:3 (Babylon)

Robe is dipped in blood

Isaiah 63:1-3

Rev 19:13

Jesus coming with armies following Him

Daniel 7:10

Mt 16:27; Jude 14; Rev 19:14

River of fire coming out of the Christ / Ancient of Days

Daniel 7:10

Rev 19:16

God / Jesus treading on the winepress of the fury of the God’s wrath

Isaiah 63:1-3

Rev 19:15b

Birds gorging themselves on flesh

Deuteronomy 28:26

Mt 24:28; Lk 17:37; Rev 19:17-21

The Millennium (1000 years)

Isaiah 35

Rev 20:1-7

Coming to life again

Daniel 12:2

Rev 20:4-5

Gog and Magog killed; battle outside of Jerusalem

Ezekiel 38-39; Zech 12:7-11; 14:2-8,12; Isaiah 29:6

Rev 20:7-9

Book of deeds

~Psalm 139: 16

Rev 20:12

Death will be destroyed forever

Isaiah 25:7-8

Rev 20:14

New Heaven and new earth

Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22-24

2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1

God will live with His people in the New Jerusalem

Zechariah 8:3

Rev 21:2-3; 22:3

No need for sun and moon in Heaven

Isaiah 60:19-20

Rev 21:3-5; 22:5

Wipe away every tear

Isaiah 25:8

Rev 21:4; 7:17b

God is the beginning and the ending

Isaiah 41:4

Rev 21:6; 22:13

Believers will be God’s sons

Jeremiah 3:19

Gal 3:26; Rev 21:7

New Jerusalem on a great mountain

Micah 4:1-2

Rev 21:10

New Jerusalem: a gate for each tribe

Ezekiel 48:30-35

Rev 21:12-13

Angel with a rod to measure the city

Ezekiel 47:3-6

Rev 21:15

River/fountain flowing out of Jerusalem

Ezek47:1-2; Joel 3:18; Zech 14:8

Rev 22:1-2

The tree of life

Genesis 2:9-10; Ezek 47:12

Rev 22:2-3,14,19

Leaves of the tree of life for healing

Ezekiel 47:12

Rev 22:2

We will see God’s face

Psalm 11:7; 17:15; 27:8

Rev 22:4

Do/Do not seal up words of a prophecy

Daniel 12:4

Rev 22:10

Good and evil both increase

Daniel 12:10

Rev 22:11

 

Semi-similarities

Four horses roaming over the earth. Zech 1:8-11

Destruction of the four horsemen. Rev 6:1-8

Flying scroll of curses. Zech 5:1-4

7 seals on a scroll and their curses. Rev 6:1-7:17

Flying scroll of curses. Zech 5:1-4

Eagle flying with three woes. Rev 8:13

Measuring the city but then don’t measure it. Zech 2:1-3

Measuring the Temple but not the outer court. Rev 11:1-2

   See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.723-724 for more info.


by Steven M. Morrison, PhD.

 

Mal 2:16 guard your spirit