Revealed: The One Who Purifies Us from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.
Malachi was the last prophet before Jesus came. The book of Malachi was written after the Jews came back from exile and rebuilt the Temple. The Jews had once again begun to be complacent about obeying God. So Malachi spoke to point them toward obedience again, and toward renewal of their relationship with God. Malachi also spoke to tell the Jews about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Read Malachi 2:17-3:5.
- In 2:17, Malachi implied that the Jews were convinced that they somehow had escaped God’s notice when they sinned. How do we downplay our own sins? What excuses do we make? Give some examples.
- In 2:17, the Jews wondered where the God of justice was. Life did not seem fair to them. When did life seem unfair to you?
- How can our own sin lead to unfairness in our own lives or in the lives of others? Give examples. … By the way, one reason God hates sin so much is that unfairness results from sin!
- How does God work justice in the world? What are some examples of how God can use us to bring justice?
In 3:1, the coming of Jesus is foretold, hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But 3:2-4 doesn’t sound like a baby in a manger! Jesus is pictured as a refiner and purifier, and both of those processes sound painful! What do you think spiritual “refining” and “purifying” are?
- Give an example of when Jesus “refined” or “purified” you. How was it painful? How were you different afterward?
Sometimes God’s refining and purifying processes in our lives take a long time. How does the waiting benefit us? What are some strategies for “waiting productively”?
In what way do you currently need God’s “refining” or “purifying”? Or, how is God already doing that process now?
Read Isaiah 62:5.
- In what ways is God’s love for us like the love of a groom for his bride?