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Old Testament Notes
Malachi was active as a prophet after the Jews returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, at a time when they had lost their zeal and had become cold towards God, and morally lax in their lives.
Malachi 1:2 - the people were complaining that they felt as if God did not love them any more
Malachi 1:3 - the Edomites were overrun by the Babylonians in the 6th century BC.
Malachi 1:6-8 - the priests and the people were giving God second-best, rather than their best
Malachi 1:10 - the priests were only performing worship rituals if they were paid to do so
Malachi 1:11-14 - even the foreign nations were honoring God, but the priests and people at Jerusalem were bored with worship and were routinely offerring damaged goods to God
Malachi 2:4 - the priests were descendents of Aaron, and so were part of the tribe of Levi
Malachi 2:14-16 - some of the priests had been committing adultery or putting away (divorcing) their wives
Malachi 3:1-6 - God declares that He will come to judge and purify the priests and the people, so that righteousness will prevail
Malachi 4:5 - Elijah was one of the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. This verse gives the promise that Elijah will return, to prepare the way for the Messiah. See Matthew 11:7-14 and 17:10-13
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
