This is the second part in this look at, The Book of Acts, which describes this most unlikely partnership between Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus. Barnabas, the older, genteel, devout, kind and gentle man, who sought out and brought into the attention of the world, a brash, younger, hold, confrontational, zealot, man named Saul (who would take on the name, Paul. These two men formed a formidable partnership which literally went on to change the course of history and the very world itself.

The Book of Acts describes this most unlikely partnership between Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus. Barnabas, the older, genteel, devout, kind and gentle man, who sought out and brought into the attention of the world, a brash, younger, hold, confrontational, zealot, man named Saul (who would take on the name, Paul. These two men formed a formidable partnership which literally went on to change the course of history and the very world itself.

The Prophetic Book of Malachi is written using a unique literary style called ‘a Disputational’. The Lord would bring a charge of wrongdoing and the people would dispute the charge. Malachi 1:2, '“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?”' This constant disputing by Malachi’s audience reveals their stubborn hearts. With each charge against the people by GOD, the LORD also introduced another theme He wanted To re-emphasise through the prophet Malachi: Theme #1 / God’s Love For His People Theme #2 / The Father-Heart of God Theme #3 / God is Worthy of Sacrificial Worship Theme #4 / The Obligations of The Mosaic Covenant Theme #5 / The Marriage Covenant is a Type of Covenant with God Theme #6 / The Coming of the Messenger-Redeemer Theme #7 / The Separating of the Righteous from the Wicked / (Final Judgment) Throughout the Old Testament, GOD is often described as being a like the sun - Psalm 84:11, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." And the prophet Malachi brings his prophecy to close by declaring that GOD would one day rise like the sun upon His people to bring judgment. Mal. 4:1-3, “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts." For the wicked there will be condemnation, but for the righteous there will be healing, life, and bliss. Thus, when Jesus the Christ came, He came as the Sun prophesied by Malachi, and because of His atoning, sacrificial death and then resurrection, He now extends this offer of healing, life, and bliss, to all who will turn to Him as the Saviour.

In this powerful sermon, we explore the book of Malachi and its deep connections to the prophet Jeremiah's message. Discover how Malachi's words—though not fully understood by his original audience—speak profoundly to us today, especially as we reflect on God's unwavering love and mercy. The closing verses of Malachi, some of the heaviest in the Bible, remind us of God's unique, incomparable greatness. Join us as we delve into the beauty of Psalm 86, unpacking the God Malachi speaks of—a God of steadfast love, mercy, and grace, who is far more than just another option among many gods

In this powerful sermon, we explore the book of Malachi and its deep connections to the prophet Jeremiah's message. We will discover how Malachi's words—though not fully understood by his original audience—speak profoundly to us today, especially as we reflect on God's unwavering love and mercy. The closing verses of Malachi, some of the heaviest in the Bible, remind us of God's unique, incomparable greatness. Join us as we delve into the beauty of Psalm 86, unpacking the God Malachi speaks of—a God of steadfast love, mercy, and grace, who is far more than just another option among many gods

After resistance from Israel's Priests, Malachi announced that the Lord “Would come to the Temple” (Mal. 3:1). “The LORD will come” is a warning of His judgment as the proceeding context indicates. In this life, the Lord’s judgment is merciful and redemptive. The Lord will come in Judgment as a Refiner to purify and launderer to wash clean (Mal. 3:2). Refining silver is a very tedious process (Mal. 3:3). The Silversmith would refine silver by separating it from the other mined metals. The Silversmith would use the varying heat of the furnace to separate: lead, copper, gold. The Silversmith would use the varying heat of the furnace to separate: lead, copper, gold: lead melts at 327.5°C; silver melts at 932°C; gold melts at 1064°C; copper melts at 1085°C. This is similar to - First Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." The Silversmith would remove the dross and separate the silver when the silver reached its melting point it would turn white. When the silver turns white, it absorbs light and becomes highly reflective. It is as we look into the face of Christ that we are transformed into the likeness of Christ. The Lord still refines and purifies His people through adversities (Isa. 48:10 “afflictions”). Malachi 3:3, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD." God’s judgment always reveals His heart! What we learn from this Malachi Passage: - Recognise that the Silversmith knows when the silver is purified when He can see His face in the refined silver!

The Book of Malachi is the 'Capstone' of the Old Testament prophets. Each of the elements of the Mosaic covenant are referenced in the Book's 55 verses. Each of the rebukes of the previous OT prophets are also echoed in this prophetic book. One of the major themes of Malachi is also one of the central features of the Old Covenant: the ‘Temple’. This is where God and Man Meet. Thus, originally, the Garden of Eden was 'a temple' because it was where God and man met. When Solomon’s Temple was dedicated, God’s Shekhinah glory filled it (a visible manifestation of God's presence presented as intense light.) But when the Second Temple was dedicated, by those returning from their exile in Babylon, there was no such manifestation of God's presence. Malachi, though, foretold that the day would come when God Himself enter the Temple - not to glorify it, but to "come" in judgment. So, how did the Temple become godless? Dr. Andrew Corbett explores the factors that led to this sad state. Check out the supplementary series on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtlWLsHwjdATk9R5BcfAs6jY1BV041jT7

One of the main and underlying themes of the Book of Malachi is: ‘The Messenger'. Indeed, the very name of Book means “My Messenger” in English. While the book refers to the author as the Lord's Messenger, Malachi also refers to the priests as the Lord's messenger as well. Then, in one of the climaxes of the Book, there is the prophecy of the coming John the Baptist as the Lord's messenger (note Malachi 4:5) who will prepare the way for the Messiah-Christ - who will be Ultimate messenger, the LORD Himself: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; and the Messenger of the Covenant in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 3:1) Malachi has thus revealed his hand. He is a messenger of the Lord chastising those who were called to be the messenger/s of the LORD but rebuking them for their apostasy, and announcing that the end of the Old Covenant will come with a special messenger who will be like Elijah, the 'father' of the prophets (note Matt. 17) who we know to be John the Baptist. It will be John the Baptist, the last of the Old Covenant prophets, who will pave the way for the Ultimate Messenger: Jesus the Christ. God has sent His Messenger into our world, which is actually His world, with a message for you. Are you listening?

The Book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament. It is the 'capstone' of the prophetic books. In many respects it is a summary of all that the previous prophets had declared. If effect, it announces the end of the Old and the soon coming of the New Covenant which we be preceded by John the Baptist coming in the 'spirit of Elijah' and the LORD Immanuel Himself who would "come" into His Temple. Of the seven themes that are intertwined throughout Malachi, one of them is the importance of marriage. What GOD says through Malachi to men about how they treat marriage - and thereby - women in general, is still just as relevant for today. Also check out Dr. Andrew Corbett's YouTube series through Malachi @DrAndrewC.

Malachi was the last of the Old Testament prophets. His 55-verse book announces the ending of the Old Covenant, and the soon coming of the New. His book is unique among the biblical literature because it is a "disputational". Some scholars believe that 'Malachi' is not an actual name, but was really the designation of an anonymous author. Dr. Corbett argues why this view is doubtful. Malachi clearly cared about GOD, His Law, and GOD’s people. He also cared about the Temple as a place where GOD and mankind could meet; and also about the Priesthood who were ordained to serve GOD in the Temple.

The Temple had been cobbled together in 516BC, repaired in 350BC, and in 156BC was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes. - Coincidentally, it would not be rebuilt until king Herod the Great (37BC - 4BC) began work to dismantled it, enlarged its boundaries to around 30 acres, raised its elevation and rebuild it commencing around 20BC and continued after he death being finally completed in AD63. God’s Gift of The lease of “The Promised Land” To Israel was meant to be a wWitness to the nations.