This passage marks the fifth of six disputes in the book of Malachi. Following God’s confrontation with His people about His execution of justice on the unrighteous, He shifts the focus with a profound declaration of His unchanging nature—His immutability (v.6). God’s steadfast and unwavering mercy is the sole reason the stubborn Israelites have not been destroyed. If not for His unchanging faithfulness, their sins would have long warranted their destruction.

Through Malachi, God calls Israel to repentance and a return to Him (v.7). Yet, in their arrogance, they claim to have nothing to repent of, blind to the depths of their sin. God, however, sees their hearts clearly. He exposes their failure to be generous and their lack of trust in Him as evidenced by their withholding of tithes and offerings. By not giving Him what is rightfully His, they are enslaved to their possessions and guilty of robbing God Himself.

Through the prophet, the Lord addresses this heart issue of faithlessness. The dispute is not merely about money but about their trust in Him and their willingness to honor Him with all they have. God desires not just their obedience but their hearts, urging them to break free from their greed and return to a life of faithful dependence on Him.

Main Point – God’s grace towards us fuels our faithful trust in him.

Outline

1. God’s Merciful Plea (vv6-7)
2. Israel’s Faithless Problem (vv8-9)
3. God’s Abundant Provision (vv10-12)

Study Questions

1. Discuss God’s immutability
   • What does it mean that God is unchanging in His character and nature? How is this good news for us?
   • What other Scriptures highlight this attribute of God?
2. God’s Immutability and Israel’s Repentance
   • How does God’s unchanging nature serve as the foundation for His call to Israel to repent in this text?
3. The Tithe and New Testament Giving
   • What was the purpose of the tithe in the Old Testament?
   • How does giving a portion of our income apply to New Testament believers? Support your answer with Scripture.
4. Barriers to Faithful Giving
   • What prevents us from faithfully giving our resources to support the work of the gospel?
   • How do these obstacles reveal deeper issues in our hearts?
5. Giving as a Gospel Issue
   • Why is giving a reflection of the gospel?
   • Are there Scriptures that connect financial giving to gospel truths?
6. Faithfulness in 2025
   • In what areas of your life—time, talent, and treasure—can you strive for greater faithfulness in response to God’s faithfulness to you?