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Our concluding lesson in Malachi continues to draw us think seriously about practical ways in which we respond to God's covenant love for us. We observe that the invitation given by God (who never changes) really represents the story of Scripture: "Return to Me and I will return to you". He calls us to repent and in particular raises the issue of tithes/offerings to show one very practical way in which repentance is needed. We seek to take from this passage a couple of principles related to this rather thorny but important topic - our relationship to money. We then observe that instead of turning to God with their difficult questions, the people seemed to be persistently turning away and speaking arrogantly against Him. Our hearts are moved to observe to see how God promises to respond to those whose hearts turn toward Him! God must do the work of judgement because He is holy and just; however the work He loves to do is to bless His people abundantly!
May we come to know Him better; may we live the life of faith with more sincerity as a result of this study! Listen below or right click here to download
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In this 2nd argument between God and the people we discover that the only viable response to God's amazing covenant love, is a response of honor and obedience. Instead the people, especially the leaders, had violated God's honor by bringing lame animals to sacrifice. There are some hard words in this text, but in all of it we are called to respond honorably to God's love for us by offering our whole and sincere hearts in obedience and worship.
Listen below or right click here to download Today we begin a 4 week study of the small book of Malachi, located at the very end of the Old Testament section of the Bible. Four questions guide our discoveries: 1) Why study Malachi? 2) When and by Whom is it written = what is the setting of the book? 3) What is the style of writing? and 4) Where do we start? In answer to this final question we jump into the first 5 verses of chapter one and discover what proves to be a remarkably powerful and foundational statement. God says, 'I have loved you...' This is covenant love; the language of choosing! God has chosen His people be His own special possession! The remainder of the book is answering the question: how ought I live in response to the reality of this covenant love. For a book written almost 2500 years ago, the lessons are remarkably appropriate and applicable! May we hear God's voice through this study!
Listen below or right click here to download the file |
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