The prophet Malachi ministered to the Jews who returned from exile. In 586 B.C., Jerusalem was utterly destroyed (see Lamentations), and the final deportations of captives were taken to Babylon. Some captives (about 50,000) began to return under the leadership of Zerubbabel (see Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah). However, the 70-year captivity was not over until the temple was rebuilt and worship resumed in Jerusalem, in 516 B.C. (see 1Ki 8:46–53; Jer 32:36–37; Dan 6:1–17). Many of the sins cited by Malachi were already prominent in the time of Nehemiah (cf. Nehemiah 13) and were corrected by his reforms.
These notes are from the February 2011 conference on Malachi held in Florida.

Malachi – The Choice of a Nation – Florida 2011

Gene Cunningham - September 11, 2000

Elijah #1

The life of Elijah illustrates Mercy and Judgment. There was a string of six previous evil kings prior to Ahab. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord to anger than all the kings before him (1Ki 16:30-33, 1Ki 17:1-7). (1) Jeroboam appointed priest not of the tribe of Levi (1Ki 12:28). (2) Nadab perpetuated his father’s evil (1Ki 15:36). (3) Badash was a conspirator who murdered Nadab (1Ki 15:27-29). (4) Elah was a drunk (1Ki 16:8-13). (5) Zimri was a murderer (16:16-20). (6) Omri was worse than those before. (16:25-26, 34). Elijah was God’s choice to combat evil (Isa 59:19). Elijah means “the Lord is my God” (Col 3:17). Tishbe was a little cross-road town in the Gad tribal area (1Co 1:27-29, Gen 49:19). John the Baptizer was prepared in the dessert like Elijah. We need something of the boldness of Elijah (1Ki 17:1, 1Ti 4:10, 1Th 1:9-10). God judges false gods by their claims. The proclaimed drought is a judgment on Baal (Mat 5:45, Act 14:17; Deu 28:24). God’s word in the mouth of Elijah: (1) Elijah saw Israel’s apostasy and knew how God’s word applied (Deu 11:16-17). (2) Elijah applied the word by prayer (Jam 5:17). (3) God’s word told Elijah what to pray and is energized by the Spirit (Jam 5:16, 1Jo 5:14-15). (4) God’s word is a sword that cuts two ways: (a) it cuts to the human spirit of the believer (Heb 4:12); (b) it is reflected in prayer (Eph 6:17-18). (5) Elijah’s made use of God’s word as if it were his own. Baal was supposed to control rain, sun and food (Isa 42:8). God’s word in our mouth won’t have an impact until it has impact in our own lives. Elijah went through the drought with the nation (1Ki 17:7).

Scripture References: James 5:17, Isaiah 59:19, Deuteronomy 11:16-17, Isaiah 42:8, Deuteronomy 28:24, Ephesians 6:17-18, Acts 14:17, Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 5:45, John 5:14-15, Genesis 49:19, James 5:16, Colossians 3:17

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Elijah's life shows us the keys to spiritual power: the power of God's Word faith prayer revival and failure.

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