MEMORY VERSE:

"Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall" (Malachi 4:2 KJV).

CENTRAL TRUTH:

True Christianity is evidenced by lifestyle of faithfulness, obedience, and reverence to God.

THE LESSON OUTLINE

1. Called to Faithfulness
   Malachi 2:1-17
   A. Warnings of Unfaithfulness
   B. A Lifestyle of Faithfulness

2. Called to Obedience
   Malachi 3:6-18
   A. Obey the Covenant
   B. Righteous Characterised by
   Obedience

3. Called to Reverence
   Malachi 4:1-6
   A. Judgement Is Coming
   B. Turn to God

TEACHING GOALS:

1. Impart and Reinforce
   Knowledge: Convey to students
   a Biblical description of a
   lifestyle that pleases God.

2. Influence Attitudes: Help
   students recognise and
   appreciate that God expects
   Christians to bear evidence of
   their commitment to Him.

3. Influence Behaviour:
   Challenge students to live a life
   that pleases and honours God.

INTRODUCING THE LESSON

Ask: "What does God expect of
you?" Some might be concerned that dwelling on such a question would lead us toward a kind of legalism. Yet Scripture reminds us that God has expectations of His people. He calls us to live in a manner that pleases Him.

The prophecy of Malachi addresses this issue. After decades of exile, the Israelites had renewed their commitment to Him and had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. However, years later they returned to the sinful ways that had led them Into judgement.

In many ways, the failures of God's people in Malachi's day are timeless; many Christians face the same struggles. Take time to apply the principles in this week's lesson.

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

Mal.2:1 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.

v. 2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

v.3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. note note note

v.4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

v.5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.

v.6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity

v.17. Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

Mal.3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. note

v.12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
v.16. Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

Mal.4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

COMMENTARY AND APPLICATION

1. CALLED TO FAITHFULNESS*

A. Warnings of Unfaithfulness

    Malachi 2:1-9

The Book of Malachi largely centres around the idea of Covenant. That is, God's people are in a covenant relationship with Him. This relationship is rooted in God's Love for His people and empowered by His faithful promises. It also assumes a level of faithful response from those who have received His love.

Chapter 1 begins with an affirmation of God's love, along with a revelation that the people have rejected His love. They have broken the covenant through unfaithfulness in the form of insincere worship and irreverence toward God's name, which signifies His reputation, and even His presence.

Chapter 2, then, begins a warning of judgement against the priests (Malachi 2:1-2). In 1:6-13, we read that they had been offering flawed (and therefore unacceptable) offerings to the Lord. This blatant act of irreverence exposed a glaring disrespect and irreverence toward Him. And while the spiritual leaders were certainly guilty, the people had conspired with them to give God far less than their best (1:14).

The rebuke was harsh: Many scholars interpret 2:3 to indicate that for those who ignored the warning, God would make their descendants unable to fulfil the priestly duties. They would instead be humiliated and made unclean. This stood in contrast to the example of faithfulness and piety exhibited by Levi, with whom God had made the covenant that founded the priesthood (verses 4-6).

The priesthood was intended to model faithfulness to God (verses 7-9). Godly leaders are called to provide an example worth following. But instead, the priest had caused the people to stumble violating the covenant between God and the house of Levi (verse 8). As a result, instead of being blessed, the priests were going to be despised and humiliated before the people.

Christians are part of God's covenant people (see Romans 11). And so, we too are called to honour our relationship with Him. God Promises great blessing to His people. However, He also calls us to value important responsibilities. Unless we live obediently by keeping God's ways, we cannot partake of the blessings that are intended for us.

QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION

Why would the people have given flawed sacrifices rather than worthy sacrifices to the Lord?

In what ways might we today give flawed sacrifices to the Lord? How might we treat His name with irreverence or disrespect in our giving?

B. A Lifestyle of Faithfulness

  Malachi 2:10-17

The people, like the priests, disrespected God and His ways. Not only had Judah broken faith with God, but also with one another (Malachi 2:10).

Malachi pointed to the marriage covenant, which they compromised by marrying foreign women who worshipped pagan gods, an act forbidden in the Law. Such marriage would lead to idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:1-4).

They also violated the marriage covenant through divorce (Malachi 2:13-16). The terminology of these verses is interesting. Verse 13 describes the actions of idol worshippers who believed their groanings and tearful wailing would influence their gods. Some in Judah seem to have adopted this practice in their prayers to God (see 1 Kings 18:26-30).

Verses 15-16 are difficult to translate, as it may mean the men were divorcing out of mere displeasure with their wives. But we know that marriage was regarded as both a Iegal contract and a covenantal agreement among God's people. The men were unfaithful to that contract. They did not honour it.

Marriage is the most fundamental of all human relationships. It is a picture of the relationship between God and His covenant people. It is not surprising, then, that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Because marriage portrays the relationship between God and His people, infidelity between a man and a woman is symbolic of the idolatrous tendencies of His people to other gods.

Ultimately the problems described here were rooted in the people's hearts. Verse 17 indicates that they had no fear of the Lord (see also 3:1-5). They were hypocrites, honouring God with their words. But not their lives. Such hypocrisy leads to judgement. Verse 17, then, introduces a timeless warning for God's people.

QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION

Why would intermarriage with pagan wives among even a few men pose a threat to the entire nation?

What are some ways Christians might allow ungodly iinfluences into their lives? Into the church?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Christians may have areas where they struggle especially hard with faithfulness to God. It can be helpful to identify those areas then matter of fervent prayer.

Ask yourself these questions today: Where do I struggle with
faithfulness? Why is that particular area a struggle? What choices and practices can I make or adopt to avoid unfaithfulness?

2. CALLED TO OBEDIENCE

A. Obey the Covenant

     Malachi 3:6-12

Malachi 3:5 offers insight to guide our understanding of verses 6-12. In this verse, God identifies seven violations of the Mosaic Covenant among the people. It is notable that every item in the list except for sorcery dealt with problems of society, seen in how the people treated one another.

The unfaithfulness of God's people was clearly evident in many areas of their lives. However, God had preserved His people throughout time because He was faithful to His covenant. He does not change, a quality of God we refer to as "lmmutability (Malachi 3:6-7). Now it was up to the people to return to Him and again honour the commands of His law.

God anticipated the peoples' response to His challenge. They asked, "How are we to return?"(v. 7),
No answer was given: Malachi's whole ministry focused on how they would get right again with God. They needed to obey Him. But instead they persisted in
disobedience. Here Malachi also pointed to the issue of tithing (verse 8; Leviticus 27:30-33). God required a tithe of all one's income, whether grain from the soil or animals from the flock. To not do so would be to rob God Himself (Mal. 3:9).

God offered a challenge to those who were cheating Him, which would demonstrate that he is faithful to His promises (Mal. 3:10). The Lord would bring in the crops that they needed, and preserve them from pestilence. From the beginning, God had promised that if His people would remain faithful to Him, He would bless them with the provision they needed (Deut. 11:13-17). That promise remained true, and the people could be assured that He would honour it (Mal. 3:11-12).

Note that God issued the invitation to test Him specifically for Judah. It would be irreverent for us to declare that we have the right to test
God in whatever situation we choose. We can trust His promises but we cannot presume that He will honour whatever we do simply because we ask Him to fulfil our desires or requests.

QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION

Why do you think the people withheld their tithes from the Lord?

What are some things Christians today might hold back from God?

Why might we do this?

B. Righteous Characterized by

      Obedience- Malachi 3:13-18

The spiritual problems of the people were ultimately rooted in doubts about God's faithfulness. They complained about receiving little for their obedience to Him and had become cynical. Finally, they arrogantly concluded that serving God was simply not worth it (Mal. 13-15). The people implied that God was unfair. In their view, He did not take notice of them when they did carry out the requirements. Yet their very arrogance exposed their hypocrisy, for they were not living in obedience to God.

It seems clear that those who complained about God's perceived unfaithfulness were trying to justify their unfaithfulness. This attitude was far different from those who feared the Lord (Mal. 3:16-18), who sought to encourage one another to remain obedient to God. They put together a "book of remembrance," likely a scroll containing a pledge to remain faithful to God. The faithful understood the Lord would never turn away from those who obeyed Him.

In response, God called His faithful remnant "jewels" (v. 17,KJV), a "treasured possession" (NIV). Those who obey His Word will not be treated like the unfaithful. God saw a clear distinction between the righteous and the wicked. He blesses the obedient, but brings judgement on the sinful.

QUESTION FOR APPLICATION

Why do people doubt God's faithfulness, and how should we respond when facing such doubt?

To what extent is your life characterised by obedience to God?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Many Christians struggle with feelings of doubt or despair at times. They might even question God's faithfulness. It is helpful to follow the lead of the faithful ones in Malachi. We might make ourselves a book describing times when God has been faithful to us, then keep it in a place where it will remind us of His goodness in hard times.

3. CALLED TO REVERENCE

A. Judgement ls Coming

   Mal. 4:1-3

Malachi closed his prophecy on a sobering note: Fierce judgement was coming. The arrogant and disobedient would be the target of this judgement (Malachi 4:1). As is often the case in Scripture, judgement here is depicted as an all-consuming fire.

But for those who revered the Lord, "the sun of righteousness" would rise with healing in His wings(verse 2). This suggests light and warmth, in contrast to the gloom of the wicked. The imagery of this verse is that of a young calf enjoying his freedom.

It is also important to note that the ones enjoying the sun of righteousness would be those who "fear" (KJV) or "revere" (NIV) the Lord. This attitude of the heart stands in stark contrast to the arrogant wicked who thoughtlessly profaned the name of the Lord with selfish acts of injustice and blemished sacrifices not fit for the Almighty God.

Verse 3 is especiaily interesting in that God's people are repeatedly told not to exact vengeance on their enemies. Throughout histoy, the faithful who have suffered for the faith have awaited vindication. This
verse is a reminder that such a day will come-but it will be by the hand of God and not initiated by His people. This is a good reminder that trust is an important aspect of reverence for God.

QUESTFONS FOR APPLICATION

What does it mean to "fear" or "revere" the Lord?

How should a Christian respond to the reality that God will one day judge the wicked?

B. Turn to God Mal. 4:4-6

Malachi ends with an exhortation to practise obedience (4:4-6). Throughout Israel's history, God had promised to preserve an obedient people. This faithful remnant was to prepare itself for the coming Messiah.

Malachi cited two prominent figures in Israel's history to encourage God's people to obedience: Remember the law of Moses and know that Elijah will come in advance of the Day of the Lord (the coming of Christ).

Moses and Elijah represent the
Law and the Prophets, which both proclaimed the Word and the will of the Lord. It is important not to interpret "Law" as mere rituals and legalism. The Lord is speaking to the
heart of the Law, a desire that Judah would walk as His people in relationship with Him.

The coming of Elijah, similarly,
would turn the hearts of fathers and children back to one another. This refers to spiritual renewal that influencs both a person's relationship with God and with others. The Lord will always draw near to a people whose hearts are broken and contrite.

Malachi closed with a warning that if spiritual renewal did not occur, judgement would result (verse 6). This is a sobering fact that must be acknowledged: God calls us to recognise Him as Lord and Creator. If we instead go our own way, we will face the consequences of our sins.

QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION

What can we learn about faith from Elijah and Moses?

What are some ways we recognise God as Lord and Creator?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Many in our society struggle with the idea of God demanding that we turn to Him or face judgement, Yet Scripture is clear in instructing us to choose whom, or what, we will serve. This is a daily practice. How, can you demonstrate your allegiance to and affection for God today?

CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

Christians are expected to live consistent with their Identity, exhibiting purity, obedience, and reverence. In doing so, we can also be confident of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In coming days, pray for the presence of the Spirit in your life to guide you into truth, and, empower you to reject sin and live a life pleasing to God.

MINISTRY IN ACTION

Christianity brings about a dramatic life change. Pray for opportunties to share the life-changing power of Christ with those who need Him.

THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA