Messages from Heaven Part 3, Thursday

0:00Hey kids, welcome to Junior's for Jesus. Go grab your Bibles, we're gonna be digging in and learning some really exciting stories. Let's get started. Thursday. Malachi wrote the last book of the Old Testament about 100 years after Zachariah wrote his prophecies. By that time, a new generation of people were living in Judah. The people weren't worshiping idols, but they weren't truly obeying God either. They claimed to be God's people, but their religion wasn't much more than certain ceremonies. Eight times through Malachi, God tried to reason with him, but each time they showed no respect or reverence for him. Number one, when God told him, I have loved you, what did they say? Malachi chapter one verse two, I have loved you, says the Lord. Did you say, in what way have you loved us? Was not Esau, Jacob's brother, says the Lord?

1:00That Jacob I have loved. Two, when he said they had despised his name and asked why they didn't respect and honor him, what was their reply for six? A son honors his father and a servant, his master. If then I am the father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my reverence? Says the Lord of hosts. To you priests who despise my name, yet you say, in what way have we despised your name? Number three, when he reminded them that they were offering impure sacrifices on his altar, what did they ask and what did God tell them? Verses seven and eight, you offer defiled food on my altar, but say, in what way have we defiled you by saying the table of the Lord is contemptible? And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor. Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably? Says the Lord of hosts.

2:01Number four, they were not bringing good, perfect offerings to God. There was another reason God couldn't accept their offerings. When they asked for what reason, what did God tell them? Malachi chapter two verse 14, yet you say, for what reason? Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously. Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Number five, while pretending to be sorry for their sins, the people weary the Lord with their words. What did they ask about that? Verse 17, you have weary the Lord with your words, and yet you say, in what way have we wearyed him? In that you say everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them, or where is the God of justice? Number six, when God urged the people, return to me, what did they say? Malachi three seven, yet from the days of your fathers, you have gone away from my ordinances,

3:03and have not kept them, return to me, and I will return to use as the Lord of hosts. But you said, in what way shall we return? And then they said that God was pleased with those who did evil. Number seven, when God told the people they were robbing him, they acted as if they didn't know what he was talking about. Verse eight and nine, will a man rob God? And yet you have robbed me, but you say, in what way have we robbed you? In tides and offerings, you were cursed with a curse for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. Read verses 10 through 12, and see what God wanted to do for them. Number eight, when God said your words have been harsh against me, what was the response of the people? Verses 13 and 14, your words have been harsh against me, says the Lord. And yet you say, what have we spoken against you? You have said, it is useless to serve God. What profit is it that we have kept his ordinance and that we have walked as mourners before the Lord of hosts?

4:05Yet God loved them and promised to send a messenger before Jesus would come, verse one. That was John the Baptist, who preached a strong message of repentance and turning back to God, like Elijah, Mark nine, 11 through 13, and Luke seven, 24 through 28. Now let's apply it. God also promised to send another Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord to turn people who would listen back to him, Malachi four or five. That's the time we're living in right now. And that promise is being fulfilled. Now, as God's messengers teach, like Elijah did, this podcast is brought to you by my Bible first. Visit us at mybiblefirst.org to find other great resources for children, youth, and adults. All of our resources are geared to help you understand the Bible better.