Today’s passage: Malachi 2:17-3:5
Helpful thoughts:
- The priests of Israel had a semblance of godliness, but their consciences were not in agreement with the true righteousness of God.
- They were able to do evil and feel good about it, and even encourage others to do the same.
- This error caused them to think God was doing evil (“Injustice”).
- John the Baptist is the messenger who was sent to “prepare the way before me” (Matthew 11:10).
- There will be a remnant in Israel. There will be some who are refined and purified. And there will be some who reject the Lord and are judged.
- Notice, the two choices are judgment and refining/purification. No one remains the same, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Questions to consider:
- How does our thinking or our consciences grow to be in agreement with the truth and God’s righteousness? How can we see our thinking corrected that we might put on Christ-likeness? (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:20-24)
- What does the inclusion of John the Baptist in 3:1 teach us about the timeline of God’s refining and purifying work? If John the Baptist inaugurated this time, and if the Temple will be filled with the glory of God after Jesus’ second coming, what is happening now? What all is included in Malachi 3:1-5?
- What is the difference between a person who will be refined and purified and a person who will be judged (1 John 5:12)? What refining and purifying work is God doing in you? When will that work be completed (1 John 3:2)? How do these truths encourage humility, thanksgiving, and true joy?