The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1922-09-14
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER II
THE MESSAGE OF MALACHI

LESSON TEXT-Mal. 31-4:s.
GOLDEN 'TEXT-Return unto ma end
will return unto you, saith the Lord of
Hosts.--Mal. 81.
REFERENCE MATERIALLY K;ra.
n;1-zS; lsa. s: Elk. 2:1-7; Acts 2O-35. II
Cor. 8:1-9:15. -
PRIMARY ToPIC-God's Promise of
the Savior's Coming. =
JUNIOR TOPIC-OfferinRs That p,0oao
God 4e'Se
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
What We Should Give to God
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADTTI!P rOp1,~
w nat the Bible Teaches About Giving
Inc subject of today's lesson is
broader than the text, especially tho
verses printed. The best way TO teach
this lesson is to give a survey Of tba
entire book.
Malachi was perhaps contemporary
with Nehemiah; probably sustained tha
same relation to Nehemiah that Hap.
gal and Zechariah did to ZerubbaheI
After the completion of the walls Of
Jerusalem Nehemiah seems TO have
been called back to the Persian court
Out returned to Jerusalem after a
rev years. Though outwardly the lives
OF the people were correct, the prophet
pointed out the sins of corrupt nriast.
hood, mixed marriages and a failure to
pay tithes.
!. lsraePs Base Ingratitude QI-5).
Gou approached them with the ten
der animation Il have loved you" II
was the prophets burden to declare
this fact unto them ". ~. So formal
and worldly were the people that thew
tailed to see Gods hand upon them
The attitude of Israel to God is shown
In the skeptical insinuation "Wharein
hast Thou loved us?" The propher
answers this by showing Gods choice
OF Jacob and His passing by Esau His
destruction of Edom and saving Israel
II. Gods Severe Indictment q e.
2:1O.
l. Against the Priests Il :e2, ~.
Ihey were guilty (1) Of profanity
Il :6). Their profanity was in despis.
ing the name Of God. To fail to honor
God is to be profane. To use His
name in any unreal way is to be Thus
guilty. (2) Sacrilege wv. z, 81. Their
sacrllegiOus act was in Offering mol
luted bread and blemished sacrifices.
10 bring such offerings to an earthly
ruler would be a gross insult. Gifts
10 be acceptable with God must be
genuine; must cost something. We
should give to God our best. There is
no intellect too brilliant to offer in the
Lords service. The young should not
esteem their lives wasted who offer
them on the altar of missionary sacri-
hce. (3) Greed (1:10). They we're
not willing to open the doors of Gods
house without pay. Our service should
be out of heart of love for God, not
Tor profit. This has vital application
to ministers and evangelists today. To
enter Christian service because of
worldly gain is of this type. az Wear
mess Q:12,13). Because of lack of
love the routine of duty became irk-
some. (5) Not teaching the law to
the people Clio. Those set apart
to teach Gods law to the people have
great responsibility and God will
most surely demand IN accounting.
2. Against the People e HOLT; 3:7-
49,. O For ungodly marriages 2:11,
l2). Gods purpose in the prohibition
of mixed marriages was that He might
raise up holy seed ". 49, The mar
riage of the believer with the unbe-
lever today brings confusion into the
fold of God and turns aside His pur-
pose. (2) For divorce (2:13-16). Di-
yOrce was the source of great sorrow
even the tears Of the wronged wOm-
en- covering the altar ". 49,. The Of
ferings Of man who had thus treated
his wife would be an abomination to
God. The tears of wrOnged women
today are going up to God and make
even the prayers of some men an
abominatiOn to Him. (3) Public
wrongs (3:5, g.. (a) SOrcery-magic.
Those who practice such things should
be regarded as public offenders. (b)
Adultery. This is sin of wider extent
than the parties concerned. (c) False
swearing. (d) Oppression of the hire
ling, widow and fatherless. (e)
Turned aside the stranger from his
rights. az Blasphemy (3:1315),
Ill. The Severe Judgments Which
Shall BefalI the Nation (3:1-5; :1-6).
1. BY Whom Executed. This Is
done by the Lord. Judgment has been
committed to the Son of God (Acts
17:3O-3D.
2. Time of Second Coming Of Christ.
John the Baptist was the forerunner
of His first coming Elijah shall be
the forerunner of His second coming.
g. Result. For the righteous it will
be day of healing and salvation. To
the wicked it will be day of burning
and destruction. A book of remem-
brance is now being kept. A day OF
retribution is coming.
Al l.