MALACHI 3
Bible Study Notes Rev. Betsy Perkins
More Breaking of the Covenant with God
- What is the purpose of giving tithes and offerings? What does it do for God? What does it do for the church? What does it do for the giver?
- As a part of Nehemiah’s work as governor to get Jerusalem fixed up and back on track, he had the people sign an agreement. Read that agreement in Nehemiah 9:38 and 10:28-39.
- This signing was followed by massive celebration to dedicate the rebuilt walls of the city (ch.12). Nehemiah then returned to Babylon in order to request a renewal of his governorship in Judah from King Artaxerxes. Read Nehemiah 13:4-14 to learn what he discovered when he got back to Jerusalem.
Breaking the Covenant of Tithes (3:6-12):
- How has God responded to Israel’s failure to remain faithful to their agreements with God?
- What does the Lord Almighty invite the people to do? How do the people respond to the Lord’s invitation to them to return to Him? What does their response tell us about their hearts?
- God then accuses them of robbing Him! How are they robbing God?!
In bringing the tithes and offerings, the people were not only supporting the ministry of the temple, but they were also giving thanks to God for His bountiful provision for their own needs… Since God made and owns everything, He doesn’t need anything that we can bring Him (Acts 17:25). But when we obey His Word and bring our gifts as an act of worship with grateful hearts, it pleases Him.” ~ Warren Wiersbe
- The Apostle Paul had to teach the church in Corinth about giving. Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:6-7. How are you doing in “this grace of giving”? How have you experience the principle of receiving back in proportion to what you have given, plus more?
Whenever we rob God, we always rob ourselves. To begin with, we rob ourselves of the spiritual blessings that always accompany obedience and faithful giving. But even more, the money that rightfully belongs to God that we keep for ourselves never stay with us. It ends up going to the doctor, the auto body shop, or the tax collector.… People who lovingly give tithes and offerings to God find that whatever is left over goes much further and brings much greater blessing. Yes, giving is an act of faith, but God reward that faith in every way. ~ Warren Wiersbe
- If the remnant that returned to Judah had trusted God as they had been encouraged to, what could have been the outcome (3:12)? This seems to have been another missed opportunity!
Breaking the Covenant of Service (3:13-15):
- What is the final accusation God makes against the people? How do they respond?
- The people have a transactional approach to serving God: if I do something for Him, He should do something for me. Have you heard that kind of thinking before? In our church?
I hear this complaint from some believers about their churches. “We’re not getting anything out of it!” But a church is like a bank or a home: You don’t get anything out of it unless you put something into it. We serve God because it’s the right thing to do, not because we’re rewarded for our service. (We shall be rewarded, but that’s not our main motive.). ~ Warren Wiersbe
- Have you ever wrestled with the incongruity that bad guys prosper and good guys struggle? Have you ever wanted to give up on trying to do the right thing and just cheat? How did it turn out? What scripture verses give you strength in those times of discouragement?
The Faithful Unite (3:16-18):
- A group of people do respond to Malachi’s message! What do they do?
- What does the Lord Almighty say about this group?
- What promise does God make to them?
- Read Psalm 73. How does this psalmists wrestle with the distinction between the righteous and the wicked? What conclusion does he come to?
In light of this passage and our discussion, what one truth about God and about yourself stand out as something to “take to heart” this week?
Are there steps you will take, by God’s grace, to more fully apply it to your life?
Resources: NIV Zondervan Study Bible, 2015
J. Gordon McConville, Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Prophets, Volume 4, 2002
Dr. Larry Crabb, 66 Love Letters, 2009
Warren Wiersbe, Be Amazed: Restoring an Attitude of Wonder and Worship, 1996
Tim Mackie, The Bible Project, How to Read Malachi (RightNowMedia)
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