Remaining questions in Malachi

Mo. 11/17/14: Malachi 1:2 – 3                  What was proof of God’s love?

      “I have loved you,” says the Lord.

      “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’

      Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?”

      Says the Lord.

      “Yet Jacob I have loved; But Esau I have hated,

      And laid waste his mountains and his heritage

      For the jackals of the wilderness.”

What was proof of God’s love? Israel was God’s chosen people.

Tu. 11/18/14: Malachi 3:8 – 9                  What was God robbed of?

      “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me!

      But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’

      In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse,

      For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.

What was God robbed of? God was not given tithes and offerings.

We. 11/19/14: Malachi 3:13 – 14                  What did God’s people say about Him?

      “Your words have been harsh against Me,”

      Says the Lord, “Yet you say,

      ‘What have we spoken against You?’

      You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God;

      What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance,

      And that we have walked as mourners

      Before the Lord of hosts?

What did God’s people say about Him? There is no present reward for following God.

Th. 11/20/14: Hebrews 3:12 – 13                  What are we cautioned to beware of?

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

What are we cautioned to beware of? An evil heart of unbelief in yourself.

Fr. 11/21/14: Hebrews 6:11 – 12                  What is desirable in God’s people?

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

What is desirable in God’s people? God’s people should be diligent to the end.

Where

Mo. 11/10/14: Zephaniah 3:18b – 20                  Where will fame and praise be?

      “…Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you;

      I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out;

      I will appoint them for praise and fame

      In every land where they were put to shame.

      At that time I will bring you back, Even at the time I gather you;

      For I will give you fame and praise

      Among all the peoples of the earth,

      When I return your captives before your eyes,” Says the Lord.

Where will fame and praise be? In the land where they were shamed.

Tu. 11/11/14: Zechariah 1:3 – 5                  Where are the fathers and prophets?

Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.”’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord.

      “Your fathers, where are they?

      And the prophets, do they live forever?...”

Where are the fathers and prophets? The fathers and prophets are gone.

We. 11/12/14: Malachi 1:6                  Where is the Lord’s honor?

      “A son honors his father, And a servant his master.

      If then I am the Father, Where is My honor?

      And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence?

      Says the Lord of hosts

      To you priests who despise My name.

      Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’

Where is the Lord’s honor? The Lord’s people did not honor Him.

Th. 11/13/14: Malachi 2:17, 3:1 – 2                  Where is God?

      You have wearied the Lord with your words…“Where is the God of justice?”

      “Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me.

      And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple

      …Says the Lord of hosts.

      “But who can endure the day of His coming?...

Where is God? He is sending His messenger, His Son, Jesus Christ.

Fr. 11/14/14: Matthew 18:20                  Where is Jesus Christ?

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Where is Jesus Christ? In the midst of two or three gathered in His name.

What is the question

Mo. 11/3/14: Zechariah 13:6 – 7                  What are the arm wounds?

And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’

      “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd,

      Against the Man who is My Companion,”

      Says the Lord of hosts.

      “Strike the Shepherd,

      And the sheep will be scattered;

      Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.

What are the arm wounds? These wounds prophesy crucifixion.

Tu. 11/4/14: Malachi 1:7 – 8                  What is the defiled food?

      “You offer defiled food on My altar,

      But say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’

      By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’

      And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil?

      And when you offer the lame and sick,

      Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor!

      Would he be pleased with you?

      Would he accept you favorably?”

      Says the Lord of hosts.

What is the defiled food? The defiled food is imperfect sacrifice.

We. 11/5/14: Malachi 1:13                  What is sneered at?

      You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’

      And you sneer at it,” Says the Lord of hosts.

      “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick;

      Thus you bring an offering!

      Should I accept this from your hand?” Says the Lord.

What is sneered at? Unacceptable sacrifices are offered, but sneered at.

Th. 11/6/14: Malachi 3:7                  What is the first step?

      Yet from the days of your fathers

      You have gone away from My ordinances

      And have not kept them.

      Return to Me, and I will return to you,”

      Says the Lord of hosts.

      “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’

What is the first step? The first step is return or repentance.

Fr. 11/7/14: Mark 8:36 – 37                  What is the cost of a soul?

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

What is the cost of a soul? The cost is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.