The Jewish Laodicean Age

INTRODUCTION:  Malachi wrote his prophecy about 397 BC, or about 47 years after the events of Nehemiah were completed. The Jews have again gone into a time of spiritual stagnation. God sends Malachi to proclaim God’s final inspired word under the Old Testament. The name Malachi means messenger (see Malachi 2:7; Malachi 3:1). The four chapters and 55 verses of this book warn of the consequences of their disobedience. The book of Malachi and, as such, the Old Testament ends with “a curse” (Malachi 4:6).

1. GIVING GOD THE LEFTOVERS (Malachi 1:1-14)
1. The Leftovers of their Love (Malachi 1:1-5)
1. The burden of the word (Malachi 1:1; Zechariah 12:1-3)
2. Their doubt of Gods love (Malachi 1:2; compare Luke 10:29)
1. God proclaims His love I have loved you.
2. God proves His love He chose them (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
3. Gods hatred toward Esau (Malachi 1:3-4; Romans 9:7-14)
1. Determined before birth, but according to foreknowledge
2. Concerned earthly blessings, not eternal salvation
3. National in scope, not just personal
1. Esaus mountains laid waste (Malachi 1:3)
2. Edoms determination to no avail (Malachi 1:4)
3. The heritage of Esau (Malachi 1:4)
1. The border of wickedness
2. The people hated by God
4. Gods love for Israel (Malachi 1:5)
1. To bring blessing on Israel
2. To be magnified in Israel (1 Chronicles 17:24)
2. The Leftovers of their Honor (Malachi 1:6-8)
1. Despising the name of the Lord (Malachi 1:6)
1. Despising their father (Exodus 20:12)
2. Despising their master (1 Timothy 6:1-2)
2. Despising the altar of the Lord (Malachi 1:7-8; Deuteronomy 15:21)
1. By their contempt for Gods table (Malachi 1:7)
2. By their choice of sacrifice (Malachi 1:8; Genesis 4:4; 2 Samuel 24:24; Romans 12:1)
3. The Leftovers of their Dedication (Malachi 1:9-11)
1. Needing to seek Gods grace (Malachi 1:9; Revelation 3:14-18)
2. Doing nothing for nought (Malachi 1:10; Jeremiah 6:13; Philippians 2:21)
1. Would not shut the doors without pay
2. Would not kindle the fire on the altar
3. Will be rejected by the Lord
1. He will have no pleasure in them.
2. He will not accept their offering (Amos 5:21-24).
3. Refusing to serve the great God (Malachi 1:11)
1. His name to be great among the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6)
2. The great God to receive offerings of the Gentiles
4. The Leftovers of their Efforts (Malachi 1:12-14)
1. Weary in their service (Malachi 1:12-13)
1. Treating Gods worship with contempt (Malachi 1:12; 1 Samuel 2:29)
2. Complaining of any effort given
1. Behold, what a weariness is it! (Malachi 1:13a; Isaiah 43:22; Galatians 6:9)
2. Ye have snuffed at it (Jeremiah 2:24).
3. Bringing their least to God (Malachi 1:13b)
1. The torn (Leviticus 22:8)
2. The lame (Leviticus 22:19-23)
3. The sick
4. All unacceptable to God
2. Deceptive in their service (Malachi 1:14; Jeremiah 48:10)
1. I am a great King.
2. My name is dreadful among the heathen.

CONCLUSION: When God’s people get away from the Lord, they begin to give Him the leftovers. Their service to God becomes a weariness to them. Then, they fail to keep their commitments to the Lord. Holy covenants mean nothing to them. All believers need to search their hearts and make sure that they are not going down this path.

MEMORY VERSES:

Philippians 2:21 – For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Malachi 1:13 – Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.