The copper era and Morenci leader., 1922-09-15
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL Sll1nldaySchool } 7 Lesson v (By REV. P. B. FITzWATER, D. D.. Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago)
 Copyright, 1922, Western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 17
THE MESSAGE OF MALACHI

THE MESSAGE OF MALACHI ! LESSON TEXT-Mal 3:1-4:3 | GOLDEN TEXT-Return unto me, and
 Will return unto you, saith the Lord Of 1 Hosts.-Mal. 3:7
 REFERENCE MATERIAL-u Kings
 H:7-2S; Isa 6: Elk. 2:1-7; Acts 20-s5; II ! Cor s:1-9:15
 PRIMARY ToPIC-God's Promise of | the Savior's Coming.
 1 ess esgNioF TopIc-offerings That Please INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC What We Should Give to God. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC -"hat the Bible Teaches About Giving. The subject of today's lesson is
 broader than the text, especially the verses printed. The best way to teach
 this lesson Is to give a survey of the
 entire book.
 Malachi was perhaps contemporary
 With Nehemiah ; probably sustained the
 same relation to Nehemiah that Hag- gal and Zechariah did to ZerubbabeI. Alter the completion of the walls of Jerusalem Nehemiah seems to have been called back to the Persian court.
 put returned to Jerusalem after fl
 rev years. Though outwardly the lives
 Of the people were correct, the prophet pointed out the sins of corrupt priest
 hood, mixed marriages and a failure to
 pay tithes.
 l. IsraePs Base Inpratitude q :1-5). God approached them with the ten
 der affirmation T have loved you" II
 was the prophets burden to declare
 this fact unto them (v. D. So formal
 and worldly were the people that they
 failed to see Gods hand upon them.
 The attitude of Israel to God is shown
 in the skeptical insinuation "Wherein
 hast Thou loved us?'' The prophet
 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 q :G-2, 9.
 They were guilty CD of profanity q :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 (vv. ', 8. Their
 sacrilegious act was in offering pol
 luted bread and blemished sacrifices
 To bring such offerings to an earthly
 ruler would be a gross insult. Gifts
 to 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- flee. (3) Greed Q:10). They were not willing to open the doors of Gods house without pay. Our service should be out of a heart of love for God, not for profit. This has vital application
 to ministers and evangelists today To
 enter Christian service because of
 worldly gain is of this type. (4) 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 (2:1-9). Those set apart
 to teach Gods law to the people have
 a great responsibility and God will
 most surely demand an accounting. 2. Against the People (2:1O-17; :7- 15). CD For ungOdly marriages c: Ill,
 12). Gods purpose in the prohibition of mixed marriages was that He might raise up holy seed (v. 15).~ The mar
 riage of the believer with the unbe- liever today brings confusion into the fold of God and turnss aside His pur- pose. CD For divorce (2:13-16). Di- | vOrce was the source of great sorrow even the tears of the wrOnged wom- of (Xr hn cf ] ferings of man who had thus treated his wife would be an abominati0n 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 l wrongs (3:5, @. (a) SOrcery-magfc. | Those who practice such things should l be regarded as public offenders (b) Adultery. This is sin of wider extent than the parties concerned. Co False
 swearing. (O Oppression of the hire.
 ling, widow and fatherless. (e) i Turned aside the stranger from his l rights. CD Blasphemy (3:13-15). Ill. The Severe Judgments Which | Shall BefalI the Nation (3:1-5; 4:1-6). 1 l. By Whom Executed. This is | done by the Lord. Judgment has been | committed to the Son of God (Acts ! IT :30-31).
 ?. Time of Second Coming of Christ. 1 John the Baptist was the forerunner | of His first coming. Elijah shall be
 the fOrerunner of His second coming. 1 3. Result For the righteous 1t will l be day of healing and salvation. To 1 the wicked it will be day of burning 1 and destruction. A book of remen1. brance is now being kept. A day Of l retribution is coming.