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 25, 2003

Ezekiel #22

Ezekiel #22

A believer severed from the dynamic of Christ's life withers (Joh 15:1-6). The nation severed from God became non-productive (Eze 19:10-14, Psa 80:8-16). Judgment of God begins with the house of God (1Pe 4:17). Believers have responsibility (Luk 12:48). Teachers have great accountability (Jam 3:1). There is a way of escape if we judge ourselves (1Co 11:31). Daily confession of sin followed by correction is necessary (1Jo 1:9, 1Ti 5:24-25). Those outside God's will will experience the fire of God (Heb 12:29, Joh 15:6). Alienated from God means God's spirit is not working in us (1Th 2:13). The rain of God's grace and cultivation of God's word produces fruit and reward (Heb 6:7-8, 1Co 3:12-15). Fire is a symbol  and is a comfort or curse (Deu 4:24, Deu 9:3) Fire consumed all that will burn, but refines that which will (Isa 10:17). We need salvation every day from attitudes and dangers — abuse of the tongue — these things bring divine judgment (Jam 1:21). Angels are agents of God's fire (Heb 1:7, Heb 1:14, Isa 6:6-7). The Word of God is like a fire purifying a refining us (Jer 23:29). Fire is used signifies God's disciplinary action (Zec 13:9, 1Pe 1:6-7). Whatever fire falls on our nation we can be confident we will be refined and purified (Dan 3:1-30). Are we living a rewardable life? Are we "fireproof"?



Scripture References: Hebrews 6:7-8, Hebrews 1:14, Ezekiel 19:10-14, John 15:6, Hebrews 1:7, John 15:1-6, Hebrews 12:29, James 1:21, Daniel 3:1-30, John 1:9, Isaiah 10:17, Zechariah 13:9, James 3:1, Deuteronomy 9:3, Jeremiah 23:29, Luke 12:48, Deuteronomy 4:24, Isaiah 6:6-7, Psalms 80:8-16

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