Malachi - Confronting God's People

This Sunday, we kick off a 5 week series through the final book in our Old Testament, Malachi. In it, we encounter a prophet (the prophet is possibly not actually named, Malachi, as the name is simply translated, “my messenger”) confronting Israel in their post exilic state. God is chastising His people for living in faithlessness. They have a form and shape of faithfulness but they have developed a kind of faith that is much like just going through the motions. Sacrifice and giving had become at best duty and at worst, ignored all together. The poor and the marginalized are being exploited and dismissed. Marriages are falling apart. And all of this, while Israel still claimed to be the people of God.

This series will take the confrontation that was pointed at Israel and ask the obvious question of us. Where do we have the form and shaped of faithfulness but are just going through the motions? What encouragement can we find as the book wraps up with promises of God’s coming judgement and rescue of his people?

The Gospel Coalition has a course of Malachi study tools and information that might be helpful for you as you prepare for this series.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/malachi