A. God's love of Judah. Malachi 1:1-5
1. The word delivered to sinful Israel was not that of the prophet, but of God. Malachi 1:1 a. God preferred Jacob over Esau. Malachi 1:1-3 b. Edom (Esau) would not be allowed to rebuild. Malachi 1:4 2. Jacob would see this and, being allowed to rebuild, would know once again that Jacob was preferred of Esau. Malachi 1:5 B. Israel showed no gratitude and was rebellious. Malachi 1:6-14 1. God was not feared and honored; the priests despised his name. Malachi 1:6 a. Do Christians fear and honor God today? 1) Every Christian is a priest. 1 Peter 2:5, 9 2. Ways in which the priests showed intense dislike for God. Malachi 1:7-11 a. By offering polluted bread (animal flesh) they showed contempt for God. Malachi 1:7 b. The polluted flesh was the blind, lame and sick offered for sacrifice. Malachi 1:8 c. What they were bold to offer to God they would be ashamed to offer to their governor. Malachi 1:8 d. Are not Christians doing the same today? e. An ironic appeal to try to gain the favor of God with such polluted sacrifices. Malachi 1:9 f. No one opposed their disrespectful behavior. Malachi 1:10 g. Under Messiah, the Jews would be rejected and God would be worshipped by Gentiles. Malachi 1:11 3. Further complaint about corrupt worship and bad attitudes. Malachi 1:12-14 a. By offering blemished sacrifices they held worship in contempt. Malachi 1:12 b. Worship was weariness to these rebellious people. Malachi 1:13 c. Their worship was deceitful and they showed less respect for God than did the Gentiles. Malachi 1:14
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