August 30
Lesson 13
A PLEA TO RETURN TO GOD
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 24:4–10
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Malachi 3:1–12; Matthew 7:12
MALACHI 3:1–10
1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Photo: Hemera/Thinkstock
6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
KEY VERSE
All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
—Matthew 7:12
GOD’S PROPHETS DEMAND JUSTICE
Unit 3: Advocates of Justice for All
LESSONS 9–13
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. List some indicators that the people of Malachi’s day had broken God’s covenant.
2. Explain Malachi’s rebuke of the people’s breach of the covenant in the context of the coming day of the Lord.
3. Examine his or her fidelity to the new covenant and commit to greater faithfulness.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. Tithing Today
B. Lesson Background
I. What to Expect (MALACHI 3:1–5)
A. My Messenger and the Lord (v. 1)
The Lord Is Returning!
B. Fire and Soap (vv. 2, 3a)
C. Good and Bad (vv. 3b–5)
II. How to Prepare (MALACHI 3:6–10)
A. Problem (vv. 6–9)
Robbing God Today
B. Solution (v. 10)
Conclusion
A. Leaving a Legacy
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Ezra
Ez-ruh.
Isaiah
Eye-zay-uh.
Jeremiah
Jair-uh-my-uh.
Malachi
Mal-uh-kye.
Moses
Mo-zes or Mo-zez.
Nehemiah
Nee-huh-my-uh.
Zechariah
Zek-uh-rye-uh.
Krause, Mark S. et al. “A Plea to Return to God.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2014–2015. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 62. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2014. 442–447. Print.
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