“Lesson 55: Malachi,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 109–10
“Malachi,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 109–10
55
Malachi
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Scripture Content Outline |
Supplementary Study Sources |
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Religion 302 student manual, 34-1 through 34-7; 34-11 through 34-14. Leviticus 22:17–25. What animals were acceptable to the Lord as sacrifices? Deuteronomy 8:10–18. What warning, given to Israel during the Exodus, had evidently been forgotten by Malachi’s time? Mosiah 2:19. What did King Benjamin tell his people about showing gratitude to the Lord? D&C 59:21. Who is the Lord’s wrath kindled against? D&C 121:34–37. To what are the rights of the priesthood inseparably connected? Luke 16:18. What did the Lord teach about putting away one’s wife to marry another? DS, 1:132–33. Ingratitude is one of the most serious and most prevalent sins of our day (see also Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, pp. 270–71). Spencer W. Kimball, in CR, Oct. 1980, p. 113. Payment of tithing is a requirement of God. How important is it? Bible dictionary, s.v. “Malachi.” The mission and message of Malachi are discussed. |
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Religion 302 student manual, 34-8 through 34-10; 34-15 through 34-18. 2 Thessalonians 2:8; D&C 5:19. What will happen to the unrepentant and wicked at Christ’s second coming? (see also 2 Peter 3:10; D&C 112:24). DS, 1:193–95; 3:10–14. Who is the messenger that would be sent before the Savior’s second coming? Articles of Faith 1:10. To what condition will the earth be returned? D&C 13. What did John the Baptist tell the Prophet Joseph Smith about the sons of Levi? (see also JS—H 1:71n). D&C 128:24. What is one of the offerings this Church and people should be prepared to give to the Lord at his coming? |
Some Suggestions for Presentation
You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.
A Contrast between Unrighteous and Righteous Priesthood Holders (Section A)
In Malachi’s day the house of Israel had again been corrupted. Even those who held the priesthood and should have been examples to God’s people and to the world were corrupt. Using the book of Malachi and other scriptures, help students see how the Levites of Malachi’s day were profaning the priesthood. Contrast their actions with those of priesthood holders today. How should they live and serve?
Levites of Malachi’s Day
Were ungrateful to God (see Malachi 1:2)
Did not honor God (see Malachi 1:6)
Offered inferior offerings (see Malachi 1:7–8, 12–14)
Departed from God’s ways (see Malachi 2:8)
Caused many to stumble (see Malachi 2:8)
Corrupted the covenant (see Malachi 2:8)
Married out of the covenant (see Malachi 2:11)
Put away their wives (see Malachi 2:13–16)
Did not pay tithes and offerings (see Malachi 3:8–9)
Sought to justify their sins (see Malachi 2:17)
Righteous Priesthood Holders
Have respect for God (see Malachi 2:5)
Speak and teach the truth (see Malachi 2:6)
Do not speak iniquity (see Malachi 2:6)
Walk with God in peace and equity (see Malachi 2:6)
Turn many away from iniquity (see Malachi 2:6)
Gain knowledge and seek the Lord’s law (see Malachi 2:7)
Show gratitude for blessings and obey God’s commandments (see D&C 59:21; 78:19)
Freely give tithes and offerings (see Malachi 3:10; D&C 119:4–5)
Keep their covenants (see Exodus 19:5; D&C 84:39–41; 98:15)
Marry in the covenant (see Deuteronomy 7:3; 2 Corinthians 6:14; D&C 132:19)
Are true to their wives (see 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Ephesians 5:25–28)
Learn their duties and magnify their priesthood callings (see D&C 84:33–38; 107:99–100)
Will a Man Rob God? (Section A)
Read Malachi 3:8–12. Ask students why failure to pay an honest ten percent of one’s income to the Lord is a form of robbery? Point out that the Lord felt so strongly about this commandment that he repeated it to the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 24:8–12). Prophets in our day have also spoken of it often. Read and discuss the following quotations:
“The Psalmist said: [Psalm 24:1–2 quoted.] …
“If the earth is the Lord’s, then we are merely tenants and owe our landlord an accounting. The scripture says: ’Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to God that which is God’s.’ What percentage of our increase do we pay Caesar? And what percent to God?
“The command of the Lord through the prophet Malachi reads: [Malachi 3:8, 10 quoted.] …
“Would you steal a dollar from your friend? A tire from your neighbor’s car? Would you borrow a widow’s insurance money with no intent to pay? Do you rob banks? You are shocked at such suggestions. Then, would you rob your God, your Lord, who has made such generous arrangements with you?
“Do you have a right to appropriate the funds of your employer with which to pay your debts, to buy a car, to clothe your family, to feed your children, to build your home?
“Would you take from your neighbor’s funds to send your children to college or on a mission? Would you help relatives or friends with funds not your own? Some people get their standards mixed, their ideals out of line. Would you take tithes to pay your building fund or ward maintenance contribution? Would you supply gifts to the poor with someone else’s money? The Lord’s money? …
“Does not the law of tithing apply to all the children of men, regardless of church or creed? …
“… The Lord will bless all those who love and live this law.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, pp. 282–83, 289–90.)
“From this scripture [D&C 119:1–4] it is apparent that tithing is a debt which everyone owes to the Lord for his use of the things that the Lord has made and given to him to use. It is a debt just as literally as the grocery bill, or a light bill, or any other duly incurred obligation. As a matter of fact, the Lord, to whom one owes tithing, is in a position of a preferred creditor. If there is not enough to pay all creditors, he should be paid first. Now I am sure you will have a little shock at that, but that is the truth. Other creditors of tithe-payers, however, need to have no cause to worry, for the Lord always blesses the person who has faith enough to pay his tithing so that his ability to pay his other creditors is not thereby reduced.
“As an acknowledgment and in return for his bounty, the Lord requires us to return to him as tithing ten percent of our interest annually. In the law of the gospel, tithing is, then, as has already been said, a legal obligation. It is not a mere freewill offering.” (Marion G. Romney, The Blessings of an Honest Tithe, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [Provo, 5 Nov. 1968], p. 4.)
The Second Coming (Section B)
A theme of all prophets in all dispensations has been the coming of the Lord. It is therefore fitting that the Old Testament close with a prophecy of the Lord’s second coming. Read Malachi 4:1–3, then put the following diagram on the board and discuss the concept it illustrates.
Second Coming
A great day
A dreadful day
For whom will the Lord’s coming be a great day? Discuss Malachi 4:2–4. Help students understand that the righteous need not fear (see D&C 45:39; Moses 7:62; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; 5:1–9).
For whom will the Lord’s coming be a dreadful day? Discuss Malachi 3:5; 4:1.
Point out that the Lord’s people should be preparing and praying for the imminent return of the Savior, because, at his coming wickedness will be destroyed and the millennial era of peace will be ushered in. (If you wish to emphasize Malachi 4:5–6, see lesson 33, which covers the mission of Elijah.)