o realize the Messianic kingdom
immediately upon their return. They were, therefore, discouraged and
grew skeptical (2:17) because of the inequalities of life seen
everywhere. This doubt of divine justice had caused them to neglect
vital religion and true piety had given place to mere formality. They
had not relapsed into idolatry but a spirit of worldliness had crept
in and they were guilty of many vices such as we see today in
professedly Christian communities.

The Prophecy. The purpose of this prophecy was to rebuke the people
for departing from the worship of the law of God, to call the people
back to Jehovah and to revive their national spirit. There are in it:
(1) Unsparing denunciations of social evils and of the people of
Israel. (2) Severe rebukes for the indifference and hypocrisy of the
priests. (3) Prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and the
characteristics and manner of his coming. (4) Prophecies concerning
the forerunner of the Messiah.

Analysis.

Introduction: Jehovah's love of Israel. 1:1-5. This is seen in the
contrast between Israeli and Egypt.

I. Israel's Lack of Love of God, 1:6-2:16. It is proved.

1. By their polluted offerings, 1:6 end.

2. By the sins of the priests. 2:1-9.

3. By their heathen marriages and by their divorces, 2:10-16.

II. God Will Come and Judge His People, 2:17-4:6 end.

1. His messenger will separate the righteous from the wicked, 2:17-
4:6.

2. This is seen in the effect of their withholding or paying
tithes. 3:7-12.

3. Faithful services will be rewarded. 3:13-4:6 end.

For Study and Discussion. (1) Make a list of the particular sins
rebuked. (2) Make a list of all the different things said about the
Messiah and his mission and also that of the forerunner. (3) Analyze
and study each of the seven controversies. 1:2, 7; 2:13, 14, 17; 3:7,
8, 14. (4) Compare the future destinies of the righteous and wicked as
revealed in this book, making a list of all that is said of each. (5)
Make a list of all the promises of the book.

* * * * *

Chapter XXIV.

Matthew.

Each Gospel was written with a view to creating a definite result and
written to a particular people and they differ accordingly. In this
book, therefore, each Gospel is discussed with the hope of so
outlining its purpose and consequent peculiarities as to stimulate a
thorough study of the questions raised.

Date. Written about 60 A. D., but after Mark.

The Author. Th