The Book of
MALACHI
Author: Malachi
Date: About 450 B.C.
Theme: Reassurance of God’s Love and Justice
Key Words: Messenger, Priests, Sun of Righteousness, Day of Judgment
Author. Though some attribute Malachi to an anonymous writer, thought by some to have been Ezra, using the pseudonym Mal’aki (“My Messenger”), it is best to see the book as written by the named prophet himself. Malachi is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible, but from his writing we learn he had a great love for the people of Judah and the temple ceremonies. He was likely a contemporary of Nehemiah.
Date. The lack of the mention of any kings or identifiable historical incidents makes dating the book somewhat difficult. The use of various Persian words in the text and the reference to a rebuilt temple (1:10) make a postexilic date concurrent with Nehemiah the most likely (about 450 B.C.). He wrote as the last of the twelve Minor Prophets, the final inspired writer of Scripture until the New Testament.
Background. As noted, Malachi is the last of a number of divinely inspired men who, over a period of a thousand years, foretold the coming of the Just One. Not only did they prophesy about the coming Messiah, but they clearly spelled out to the people their sins and warned them of God’s righteous judgment.
Following their return from exile, the people of Israel lived as a restored community in the land of Palestine. Instead of learning from their past negative experiences and returning to the worship and service of the God of their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they became immoral and careless. The ritual and political reforms initiated by the post-captivity leaders Nehemiah and Ezra had not prevented a serious spiritual decline among the Israelite population. This grave situation caused Malachi to be burdened heavily with the spiritual problems of his people. With divine fervency he addressed their common disregard for their loving Lord.
Content. In his opening statement Malachi points out God’s unchanging love for His people, due to His mercy that endures forever. This is the background for the following rebukes and exhortations. First, the prophet addresses the arrogant, open contempt of the priests for the Law and their negative influence upon the people. He points out to them that they cause many to stumble in sin. Therefore he warns them that the Lord will not be an idle spectator but, unless they repent, will severely punish them.
Next he addresses, in no uncertain terms, the treachery of priests and laymen in divorcing faithful wives and marrying heathen women who practice idol worship. This is followed by an earnest plea to guard their passions and be faithful to the wives of their youth, given to them by the Lord.
The prophet furthermore rebukes the irreligious practices of the people, their denial of God’s justice, and their defrauding the Lord by withholding the required tithes and offerings.
In glowing and fervent language Malachi continues to describe the original type of priesthood. He prophesies of the Sun of Righteousness, the Messenger of the covenant, and the great and terrible day of divine judgment in which the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked punished.
Finally, Malachi exhorts the people to observe the laws given to Israel through Moses and promises a coming Messiah and His forerunner Elijah (John the Baptist). This statement concludes the Old Testament and ties it to the good news of God’s provision in the Sun of Righteousness described in the New Testament.
Personal Application. Malachi’s criticism of abuses and religious indifference is still valid today. God’s people always need to confess their inadequate response to divine love. Initial devotion to God and enthusiasm may diminish. Genuine worship frequently turns into mechanical observance of religious practices. Delinquent tithing, divorce of faithful spouses, and intermarriage between God’s covenant people and nonbelievers often create havoc in families. Selfish desires, combined with proud and arrogant attitudes, lead to serious problems for which God is blamed. Instead of acknowledging our neglect and changing our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, we ask the question, “Where is the God of justice?” (2:17). However, true repentance still prepares the way for necessary reforms and Holy Spirit-inspired revivals.
Christ Revealed. In this last book of the Old Testament we find clear prophetic utterances regarding the sudden appearance of Christ—the Messenger of the (new) covenant (3:1). That day is a time of judgment. “Who can stand when He appears?” (3:2). No one can in his own strength, but for those who fear the Lord, “the Sun of Righteousness ("the Messenger of the covenant,’ Jesus (3:1)) shall arise with healing in His wings,” that is, in victorious triumph (4:2).
The Holy Spirit at Work. The working of the Holy Spirit in Malachi is evident in his own personal life and prophetic ministry. His writings show him to have been a dedicated prophet—a person clearly in tune with the Holy Spirit. As such, he could be used effectively to warn people of their sinful behavior and to urge them to conform their lives to the law of the Lord. The Holy Spirit furthermore granted to him the privilege of bringing the line of faithful, dedicated writing prophets to a close by allowing him to proclaim with clarity and fervency his telescopic vision of Christ’s coming.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
MALACHI
Author: Malachi
Date: About 450 B.C.
Theme: Reassurance of God’s Love and Justice
Key Words: Messenger, Priests, Sun of Righteousness, Day of Judgment
Author. Though some attribute Malachi to an anonymous writer, thought by some to have been Ezra, using the pseudonym Mal’aki (“My Messenger”), it is best to see the book as written by the named prophet himself. Malachi is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible, but from his writing we learn he had a great love for the people of Judah and the temple ceremonies. He was likely a contemporary of Nehemiah.
Date. The lack of the mention of any kings or identifiable historical incidents makes dating the book somewhat difficult. The use of various Persian words in the text and the reference to a rebuilt temple (1:10) make a postexilic date concurrent with Nehemiah the most likely (about 450 B.C.). He wrote as the last of the twelve Minor Prophets, the final inspired writer of Scripture until the New Testament.
Background. As noted, Malachi is the last of a number of divinely inspired men who, over a period of a thousand years, foretold the coming of the Just One. Not only did they prophesy about the coming Messiah, but they clearly spelled out to the people their sins and warned them of God’s righteous judgment.
Following their return from exile, the people of Israel lived as a restored community in the land of Palestine. Instead of learning from their past negative experiences and returning to the worship and service of the God of their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they became immoral and careless. The ritual and political reforms initiated by the post-captivity leaders Nehemiah and Ezra had not prevented a serious spiritual decline among the Israelite population. This grave situation caused Malachi to be burdened heavily with the spiritual problems of his people. With divine fervency he addressed their common disregard for their loving Lord.
Content. In his opening statement Malachi points out God’s unchanging love for His people, due to His mercy that endures forever. This is the background for the following rebukes and exhortations. First, the prophet addresses the arrogant, open contempt of the priests for the Law and their negative influence upon the people. He points out to them that they cause many to stumble in sin. Therefore he warns them that the Lord will not be an idle spectator but, unless they repent, will severely punish them.
Next he addresses, in no uncertain terms, the treachery of priests and laymen in divorcing faithful wives and marrying heathen women who practice idol worship. This is followed by an earnest plea to guard their passions and be faithful to the wives of their youth, given to them by the Lord.
The prophet furthermore rebukes the irreligious practices of the people, their denial of God’s justice, and their defrauding the Lord by withholding the required tithes and offerings.
In glowing and fervent language Malachi continues to describe the original type of priesthood. He prophesies of the Sun of Righteousness, the Messenger of the covenant, and the great and terrible day of divine judgment in which the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked punished.
Finally, Malachi exhorts the people to observe the laws given to Israel through Moses and promises a coming Messiah and His forerunner Elijah (John the Baptist). This statement concludes the Old Testament and ties it to the good news of God’s provision in the Sun of Righteousness described in the New Testament.
Personal Application. Malachi’s criticism of abuses and religious indifference is still valid today. God’s people always need to confess their inadequate response to divine love. Initial devotion to God and enthusiasm may diminish. Genuine worship frequently turns into mechanical observance of religious practices. Delinquent tithing, divorce of faithful spouses, and intermarriage between God’s covenant people and nonbelievers often create havoc in families. Selfish desires, combined with proud and arrogant attitudes, lead to serious problems for which God is blamed. Instead of acknowledging our neglect and changing our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, we ask the question, “Where is the God of justice?” (2:17). However, true repentance still prepares the way for necessary reforms and Holy Spirit-inspired revivals.
Christ Revealed. In this last book of the Old Testament we find clear prophetic utterances regarding the sudden appearance of Christ—the Messenger of the (new) covenant (3:1). That day is a time of judgment. “Who can stand when He appears?” (3:2). No one can in his own strength, but for those who fear the Lord, “the Sun of Righteousness ("the Messenger of the covenant,’ Jesus (3:1)) shall arise with healing in His wings,” that is, in victorious triumph (4:2).
The Holy Spirit at Work. The working of the Holy Spirit in Malachi is evident in his own personal life and prophetic ministry. His writings show him to have been a dedicated prophet—a person clearly in tune with the Holy Spirit. As such, he could be used effectively to warn people of their sinful behavior and to urge them to conform their lives to the law of the Lord. The Holy Spirit furthermore granted to him the privilege of bringing the line of faithful, dedicated writing prophets to a close by allowing him to proclaim with clarity and fervency his telescopic vision of Christ’s coming.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
