SET YOUR HEARTS TO HONOR GOD

Malachi 2:1-16

Key Verse 2:15b (16b)

"So guard yourself in your spirit and do not break faith."

** The Sin of the Priests (1-9)

1. Read verses 1-3. What warning and rebuke did God give to the priests? (1-3) What does this show us about God?

2. Read verses 4-6. What does the "covenant with Levi" refer to? (4) What was the purpose of it and why did God want it to continue? (5) How did Levi carry out this covenant and what were the fruits of it? (6) Can you give examples from the Israelites history of priests who honored God and those who did not? 

3. Read verses 7-9. Why must a priest honor God? (7) How did the priests in the days of Malachi not honor God in the priesthood? (8,9) What were the results? (9; 10-16) Although this message is directed at the priests, how might it be applicable to the believers of Malachi's day as well as our own? (Exo 19:5-6, 1 Pe 2:9, Ro 15:5-6) How can we honor God as Christians and Bible teachers? 

** The Sin of the People (10-16)

4. Read verses 10-12. What does "the covenant of our fathers" refer to? (10) In what way did they break faith with one another? (11-12) How does this breaking faith with one another profane the covenant? What can we learn about honoring God as his covenant people in Jesus? 

5. Read verses 13-16. Why did the people flood the Lord's altar with tears? (13) Why didn't the Lord accept them? (14) Why does the Lord act as a witness in the marriage relationship? (15) What does God hate? (16) How do we honor God through marriage?

6. Review the covenants God had made with his people, as mentioned in this passage. How did he respond when his people did not keep their end of the covenant? What exhortation does the author give us? (15b, 16b)

---