Malachi
Study Guide
prepared by David W. Chadwell

Introduction

[This series of lessons followed our study of Jonah.]

The word "Malachi" means "the messenger." The opening of the book declares the message of the book is from the Lord.

Evidences within the book suggest that this message was given to Israel within the Persian period after Israelites who wished to return to their homeland were allowed to travel back to Israel and resettle in that land.

1. A word used in this message [in the original language] is a word that denoted a Persian official (1:8).
2. The temple was standing and sacrifices were being offered.
3. The people were quite neglectful in their religious standards and commitments.
   1. Israelites marrying people who were not Israelites was a serious problem.
   2. Inferior sacrifices were offered to God.
   3. Israel was not tithing.
4. The combination of evidences suggests that this message was given to Israel in the Persian period, approximately in the time of Nehemiah, or approximately 450 years before Jesus' birth.

The book makes frequent use of this teaching style: (1) a statement of assertion is made; (2) a question is asked that challenges the assertion; (3) more information is given to support the assertion.

Examples:

1. "I [God] have loved you." (1:2,3)
2. "You have despised my name." (1:6,7)
3. Your treatment of each other is terrible, indefensible. (2:10-16)
4. Your words have made the Lord tired. (2:17)
5. Israel has a history of rejecting My statutes. (3:7)
6. You have robbed me. (3:8)
7. Your words have been arrogant against Me (or have strongly opposed Me). (3:13)

Chapter 1 Questions

1. What did the Lord affirm? With what question did they respond? (verse 2)
2. Who was used to affirm God's love? (verses 2, 3)
3. What nation descended from Esau? (verse 4)
4. What do both servants and sons do that Judah did not do? (verse 6)
5. How were priests despising God's name? (verse 7)
6. What did the Lord wish someone would do? (verse 10) Why? (verses 11, 12)
7. What was Judah's attitude toward worship? (verse 13)
8. Who was cursed? Why? (verse 14)

Chapter 2 Questions

1. Who is addressed? (verse 1)
2. What will happen to the priests if they do not listen to the Lord? (verse 2)
3. What else will God do to them? (verse 3)
4. When this happens, what will they know? (verse 4)
5. How did God describe His covenant? (verse 5)
6. How did God characterize Levi's response to Him? (verse 6)
7. What should the lips of the priests do? Why? (verse 7)
8. What did the lips of the priests do? (verse 8)
9. What was the Lord's reaction? (verse 9)
10. What is God's relationship with all people? (verse 10)
11. How had Judah acted treacherously? (verse 11)
12. They came to the altar with tears (verse 13). Why were they crying?
13. How were the people treating the "wife of your youth"? (verse 14)
14. Who should not received treacherous treatment? (verse 15)
15. What does God hate? (verse 16)
16. How had they wearied God? (verse 17)

Chapter 3 Questions

1. What were the Lord's plans? (verse 1)
2. What would He do? (verse 2,3)
3. What would be the result? (verse 4)
4. Against whom would God be a swift witness? (verse 5) Why? (verses 6,7)
5. What were they doing to God? (verse 8)
6. What should they do? (verse 10) If they did this, what would God do? (verses 10-12)
7. In what manner (or ways) did they speak arrogantly against God? (verses 13-15)
8. Who was in the Lord's book of remembrance? (verse 16)
9. How would God treat those people? (verse 17)
10. What would they distinguish? (verse 18)

Chapter 4 Questions

1. Describe the day that was coming. (verse 1)
2. What would happen to those who feared (reverenced) God when that day arrived? (verse 2)
3. What would the righteous do on that day? (verse 3)
4. What was Judah to remember? (verse 4)
5. Who would come before the day of the Lord? (verse 5)
6. What would he do? (verse 6)

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