WWSCS - Ministry Programmes
Womens Society of Christian Service
Event Date |
To be confirmed |
Event End Date |
31 December 2099 (Thu) |
Multiple Dates |
Ongoing |
Add Calendar |
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Location |
Womens Society of Christian Service |
Tuesday
Tuesday Fellowship meeting: 23 July 2024, 11am in Plaza Hall.
Speaker: Rev Dr Tony Chi (former PIC of Wesley Methodist Church)
Join us, in worshiping our Creator, listening to His message, sharing our lives in warm fellowship, over lunch!
Registration needed. Please text your name to 9178 9338/9484 6652.
Malachi
Malachi (“My Messenger”) is the last of the Old Testament prophets.
He prophesied (430BC) after Haggai and Zechariah, and after the Temple was completed (516BC). Ezra’s return (458BC), brought spiritual revival and Nehemiah had returned (445BC) to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall. It had been approximately 100 years since the exiles returned, the messianic prophecies had not been fulfilled and the harvests were poor. Religion had become a mere ritual and the people were disillusioned.
After Malachi had rebuked the priests and the people, and told them about the coming of “Elijah”. God did not speak for the next 400 years, till John the Baptist (“Elijah”) appeared to herald the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Malachi gave God’s answers to several questions posed by the people, in response to God’s statements/charges:
- God’s Love for Israel (1:1-5)
- “I have always loved you.” I have loved Jacob more than Esau (the firstborn). God had chosen Jacob and his descendants (nation of Israel) through whom the world will be blessed, by the coming of the Messiah. (And God had punished Esau’s descendants (Edomites) because they had rejoiced in Jerusalem’s destruction and helped the Babylonians in killing the Israelites and their babies.)
- The Sins of the Priests (1:6-2:9)
- They had not honoured God and had treated Him with contempt,by allowing blind, crippled, stolen and sick animals as sacrifices. Surely they would not even consider giving these to their governors! The priests were leading people to believe that God accepts imperfect sacrifices. The cheat who promises a fine animal and then sacrifices a defective one will be cursed. In fact, God’s name is honoured among the nations (Gentiles). So the Gentiles have more reverence for God, than they!
- They had strayed/not followed God’s ways and had caused many to stumble into sin. They had shown favouritism, preaching what influential people wanted to hear – no longer preaching God’s Word correctly. (The Levites were supposed to be spiritual leaders who walked with God and taught God’s instructions for godly living.)
- The Sins of the People (2:10 - 3:15)
- Mixed Marriages: The people had married women who worshiped idols, proving themselves to be unfaithful to God’s commands.
- Disloyal Divorces: God is a witness when wedding vows are made.He wants godly children from the union. Divorce leaves the wife cruelly overwhelmed. “I hate divorce” said the Lord. So, guard your heart!
- Fake Query: They had wearied God by saying that all who do evil are good in God’s sight and He is pleased with them(!) And they were asking: “Where is the God of justice?” (In fact, they had neglected God and not the reverse!)
- Unpaid Tithes: The people had not been paying tithes which was given to the Levites to support them so they could serve in the Temple. During Malachi’s days, the Levites had to work to earn a living, causing them to neglect their God-given duties in the Temple and spiritual instruction of the people. God said: “You are robbing Me!” (“Return to me and I will return to you.” He then promised His blessings, if they obeyed.) (NB: Believers today are encouraged to give cheerfully and generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6,7)
- Self-centredness: They had arrogantly spoken against God saying: “What is the use of serving God?” or of obeying His commands and repenting of their sins? They believed evildoers prosper. This implies that God was not just and in control. (NB: Our motivation in service should ideally, be love, gratitude and obedience, not self-interest or for our own benefit.)
- The Righteous Ones (3:16,17)
Some people repented and the Lord heard what they were saying. He will remember these Faithful Ones who love, fear and honour Him. They will be His special treasure. He will distinguish between those who serve and those who do not serve Him.
- Coming Day of Judgment (4:1- 6)
- The arrogant and evildoer will be burned up.
- Those who love and obey God (“fear My name”) will experience His healing warmth, like that of the sun, and joyfully skip about calves released from the stall. (One day, all who love Him will be healed from all sin and brokenness. The whole of Creation will be healed.)
- The Faithful Ones are urged to remember the Law of Moses, given at Mt Sinai. (The moral law – Ten Commandments – is still applicable today, though the ceremonial laws are no longer applicable after the coming of Christ/Messiah.)
- God promised to send “Elijah”, believed to be John the Baptist, who will call for repentance and prepare the people’s hearts for the Christ/Messiah, who will bring unity and peace, but also judgment for those who refuse to turn from their sins.
Q1. How are you waiting and preparing for the second coming of Christ? (Walking close to God, living holy lives, studying and obeying God’s Word, serving, praying and urgently sharing Christ with the lost.....)
Q2. Is the Spirit convicting you of any of God’s charges listed above? (Will you repent before God and change, to walk in God’s ways?)
Food For Reflection:
Of Levi :
“ True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips;
he walked with Me in peace and uprightness and he turned many back from iniquity ”
Malachi 2:6
Saturday
WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group
Next Meeting:
13 Jul 2024 at 2pm (online)
Lessons from the Book of Ezra
The Book of Ezra is a historical record of the Return of the Jews (in three groups) from Babylonian exile after:
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the 70-years’ captivity (as prophesied by Jeremiah), and
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the Persian King Cyrus’ decree (as prophesied by Isaiah).
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Zerubbabel led the first group. They completed the Temple after encouragement by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
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Ezra led the second group. With strong support from King Artaxerxes, he returned with a number of Levitical priests, and helped to bring spiritual revival.
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Nehemiah led the third group. He rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls.
The WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group “meets” on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.
We study Holy Scripture to know God better, and gain a better understanding of His work in the world and His ways. In the process, we encourage one another along our personal pilgrimage.
We welcome ladies of all ages! (online)