Malachi (My Messenger) Nasb

Malachi proclaims the sinful condition of the Jews, warns of God’s judgment, and promises relief in the coming of the Savior. The nation had just come through 200 years of economic, spiritual and governmental prosperity. After 12 years Nehemiah straightened out the nation politically (in 433 B.C.) and went back to Babylon (Iraq, Nehemiah 5:14). When he left, the nation went downhill because of anarchy and religious formality without spiritual fervor. Malachi described what happened when Nehemiah left. After an unknown period of time, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem (Neh 13: 6,7). Nehemiah / Malachi ~ Zerubbabel (political) / Zechariah. The message is to the individual and the nation. (c/o Marilyn Hickey Ministries)

Chapter 1 and 2: Battle with sin, God’s love for Israel, priestly and people’s sin

Chapter 3: Forerunner of the Messiah, messenger of the covenant

Chapter 3, 4: The remnant / the Son of righteousness (c/o Marilyn Hickey Ministries)

God’s Love for Jacob

Chapter 1:1 The (A)pronouncement of the word of the LORD to (B)Israel through [a]Malachi:

2 “I have (C)loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was Esau not Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I (D)have loved Jacob;

3 but I have hated Esau, and I have (E)made his mountains a desolation and given his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness.”

4 Though Edom says, “We have been (F)beaten down, but we will [b](G)return and build up the ruins”; this is what the LORD of armies says: “They may (H)build, but I will tear down; and people will call them the [c]territory of wickedness, and the people [d]with whom the LORD is indignant (I)forever.” AREA OF JORDAN, WHERE I VISITED FOR A WEEK.

5 And your eyes will see this, and you will say, “(J)The LORD [e]be exalted beyond the [f]border of Israel!” THAT’S A PRAYER WE ALL SHOULD HAVE FOR THE WORLD.

Sin of the Priests ROMANS 3:23 FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT

6 “‘A son (K)honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a (L)father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My [g]respect?’ says the LORD of armies (I PRAY I RETIRE FROM THEM THIS YEAR.) to you, the (M)priests who despise My name! But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’

7 You are presenting (N)defiled [h](O)food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’ In that you say, ‘The (P)table of the LORD is to be despised.’ COMMUNION = HOLY, THAT’S WHY WE DON’T DO IT WEEKLY, OR WE MAY TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

8 And when you present a (Q)blind animal for sacrifice, is it not evil? Or when you present a lame or sick animal, is it not evil? So offer it to your (R)governor! Would he be pleased with you, or would he receive you kindly?” says the LORD of armies. WORTHY OFFERINGS

9 “But now, do indeed (S)plead for God’s favor, so that He will be gracious to us. [i]With such an offering on your part, will He (T)receive any of you kindly?” says the LORD of armies. WE NEED TO BEG FOR GOD’S FAVOR / FORGIVENSS / GRACE / MERCY.

10 “If only there were one among you who would (U)shut the [j]gates, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar for nothing! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD of armies, “(V)nor will I accept an offering from your hand. I PRAY THE LORD IS PLEASED.

11 For from the (W)rising of the sun even to its setting, (X)My name shall be (Y)great among the nations, and in every place (Z)frankincense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name shall be (AA)great among the nations,” says the LORD of armies. NATIONS CAN BE PEOPLE GROUPS / RACES.

12 “But you are (AB)profaning it by your saying, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.’ PROFANITY IS AGAINST GOD.

13 You also say, ‘See, [k]how (AC)tiresome it is!’ And you view it as trivial,” says the LORD of armies, “and you bring what was taken by (AD)robbery and what is (AE)lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I (AF)accept it from your hand?” says the LORD.

14 “But cursed be the (AG)swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a (AH)blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great (AI)King,” says the LORD of armies, “and My name is [l](AJ)feared among the [m]nations.” SOME ARE IN PRISON FOR SWINDLING.

Footnotes (c/o biblegateway.com)

1. Malachi 1:1 Or My messenger

2. Malachi 1:4 Or rebuild the ruins

3. Malachi 1:4 Lit border of wickedness