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.
Gene Cunningham - September 25, 2003
Ezekiel #1
What Ezekiel saw in his vision effected his life (Eze 1:26-28) - it transformed him. God's glory is shown in the likeness of light. The symbols have significance to priests (Ezekiel was trained to be one). God's glory is blinding light, but veiled in human flesh (Luk 2:8-14). The first manifestation of God's Glory in Jesus Christ(Psa 40:6-8, Heb 10:5-9). Second statement from Jesus re-emphasizes His first - that He must do His will (Luk 2:49). The plan of God is Christ the focus of history. Our focus of life is everything - "if our eye is single" (Mat 6:21-33, 2Co 11:3)
Scripture References: Luke 2:8-14, Ezekiel 1:26-28, Matthew 6:21-33, Luke 2:49, Hebrews 10:5-9, Psalms 40:6-8
From Series: "Ezekiel - 2002"
Ezekiel's vision of God's glory effected his life.