Historical Background
The people of Israel were taken into captivity in 586 B.C. Beginning in 538 B.C., Cyrus, the emperor of Persia, decreed that exiled Judeans could return to their homeland to rebuild the temple. The exiles returned over a period of many years — in other Bible Drills, we have marked their return and observed the instructions to rebuild the temple (Haggai, Zechariah) and the walls (Nehemiah). Although the date of authorship has not been conclusively determined, the book of Malachi was written after the exiles had returned and most likely between 475 B.C. and 400 B.C.
Malachi is the last of the so-called “minor” prophets, and the last book of the Old Testament. Scripture doesn’t reveal much about the prophet — the name Malachi means “messenger” or “angel.” Some argue that Malachi may not have been a proper name, but a general term for a prophet. However, all of the other Old Testament books of prophecy are named for the person who wrote them, and there is no reason to believe differently of Malachi.
The most important thing to remember about Malachi’s place in biblical history is that after he prophesied, there were approximately 400 years of silence until the birth of Jesus Christ. 400 years between the Old and New Testaments — a long time for the children of Israel to be waiting for the coming Messiah! During this 400 year period, history witnessed the rule of the Persians, Alexander the Great, the Maccabean revolt, and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Knowing that Malachi’s prophecy was the last recorded before the 400 years of silence lends a greater understanding of the message he presents. Malachi addressed the nation of Israel about 100 years after the return from captivity. At first, the children of Israel had been enthusiastic about rebuilding the temple and restoring worship, but their zeal had waned. They began to question God as their faith disintegrated into cynicism. Despite living for years in captivity (due to disobedience), witnessing God fulfill His promise to deliver them from the rule of their oppressors, and rebuilding the temple, Israel was still mired in sin.
The book of Malachi is an appeal to “backsliders.” Malachi tries to break through the barrier of Israel’s disbelief, disappointment, and disobedience to show them how great God is and how much He loves them, despite their shortcomings. Israel’s lack of blessing is due to their sin, not because of God’s lack of concern. Even as he exhorts Israel to righteous living and a holy fear of God, Malachi prophesies about the coming Messiah, leaving the children of Israel with hope as they wait in anticipation of Jesus Christ.
Structure
Privilege of the Nation of Israel (1:1-5)
Israel is questioning God’s love for them (1:2). God, through Malachi, reminds His people of His special love for them by contrasting the fates of Esau and Jacob (1:2-5). Esau, though Jacob’s twin brother, was founder of Edom, a nation against whom God had turned His wrath (1:3-4). According to Obadiah, the Edomites rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem and did not assist their “brother” Israel (Oba. 1:10-12). By stating “I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated” (1:2), God is affirming that the children of Israel are His favored sons and daughters.
Pollution of the Nation of Israel (1:6-3:15)
After reminding the people of God’s love for them, Malachi points out the sins they are committing against Him. He admonishes the priests for losing respect for God and offering diseased and imperfect animals as sacrifices (1:6-14). Through Malachi, God vows that “if you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor My name, I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings” (2:2). He states that He will rebuke the priests’ descendants unless they begin to honor the covenant God made with Levi, “a covenant of life and peace…this called for reverence and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin” (2:5-6). He expects the same from the priests of Israel, calling them the “messenger[s] of the Almighty” (2:7).
Malachi indicts the people of Israel for their wickedness in “profaning the covenant” and “breaking faith with one another” (2:10-11). The people are admonished for divorcing the wives of their youth in order to marry foreign women (2:11-16). In response to their questioning the justice of God, the people receive a promise of the coming Messiah but also a warning of the judgment that He will bring (2:17-3:6).
Malachi also challenges the people with respect to their sin of robbing God of tithes and offerings (3:7-9). God promises that if the people will bring the whole tithe to God and “test Me in this,” He will bless them with abundance for putting Him first (3:10-12). The Lord, through Malachi, also faults the people for speaking harshly of Him and challenging His very character (3:13-15), but promises that those who fear Him will be spared as His treasured possession during the coming judgment (3:16-17).
Promise to the Nation of Israel (4:1-6)
The book of Malachi ends with a warning. The Lord assures His people that a time is coming when the wicked will be judged and those who fear Him will be blessed. He promises the prophet Elijah will come before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” arrives, and “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse” (4:6). This seems like a drastic way to end the prophecy, but unfortunately, little spiritual progress has been made in Israel’s history and sin abounds. The need for the coming Messiah is greater than ever.
Application
Malachi basically appeals to individuals who have known God’s favor and provision and love, yet who still persist in sin and the pursuit of worldly desires. God’s love for His people is evident throughout this book, as He pleads for them to return to Him and fear Him (1:6, 14; 2:5: 3:5, 16; 4:2). Those who reverently fear the Lord receive a beautiful promise about the Messiah: “But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings” (4:2).
Reading Malachi should exhort us to examine our own lives — are we living as children of righteousness? Are we living to receive God’s greatest blessings or to incur His wrath in judgment? Like the children of Israel, we have known God’s goodness and received His love. Do we live in a way that honors and respects God, or do we allow ourselves to “backslide” and live according to the ways of the world and our own flesh?
Do you revere/respect God?
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