The Book of Malachi is one
of the books in the Old Testament. It is positioned as the last book in the Old Testament in
many Christian Bibles and serves as the final prophetic book in the Hebrew
Bible. The name "Malachi" means "my messenger" or
"messenger of God," and it is attributed to the prophet who authored
the book.
The authorship of Malachi
is traditionally attributed to a prophet named Malachi, although very little is
known about him personally. Unlike some other prophetic books, Malachi does not
provide specific information about his background or historical context. The
dating of the book is generally placed in the late 5th century BC, likely
around 430-400 BC, during the post-exilic period when the Jewish people had
returned from Babylonian exile and were rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple.
Malachi was written during a period of significant transition and challenges
for the Jewish community. After the Babylonian exile, the Jews had returned to
Jerusalem and had begun to rebuild the temple under the leadership of figures
like Ezra and Nehemiah.
Issues
and Concerns Facing the Community:
Religious Apathy: Many
Jews were becoming spiritually complacent, neglecting their religious duties,
and offering subpar sacrifices at the temple.
Intermarriage: Some
Jewish men were marrying foreign women, which was seen as a breach of the
covenant and a threat to the purity of the Jewish community.
Social Injustice: There
were issues of social injustice and economic disparities within the community,
with the wealthy oppressing the poor.
Questioning God's Love: The people were also questioning God's love and faithfulness because they had
not seen the expected blessings and restoration following their return from
exile.
Themes in Malachi
Covenant and Faithfulness: Malachi emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant with Israel and calls the
people to return to their covenant obligations.
Priesthood and Temple Worship: The book discusses the roles and responsibilities of priests in maintaining the
integrity of temple worship.
Marriage and Covenant: Malachi speaks against intermarriage with foreigners and highlights the
importance of preserving the covenant.
Justice and Social Responsibility: The book condemns social injustice, calling for fair treatment of the poor and
vulnerable.
Messenger of God:
The
name "Malachi" itself underscores the role of the prophet as a
messenger of God, delivering God's messages and warnings to the people.
Malachi Outline
I. Introduction (Malachi 1:1) A.The book begins with an
introduction of the prophet Malachi and the divine message he received. II. Rebuke for Unfaithfulness in Worship (Malachi 1:2 -
2:9) A.God speaks through Malachi to
address the people's unfaithfulness and lack of honor in their worship. B.The priests are rebuked
for offering blemished sacrifices, and the people are criticized for their
indifference to God's name. III. Rebuke for Unfaithfulness in Marriage (Malachi
2:10-16) A.Malachi addresses issues of
divorce and unfaithfulness in marriage. B.God's intention for marriage and His displeasure with divorce are
emphasized. IV. Rebuke for Injustice and Robbery (Malachi 2:17 - 3:5) A.The people are rebuked for their
injustice, dishonesty, and oppression of the vulnerable. B.The coming of the Messenger of the
Covenant (often interpreted as a reference to John the Baptist or Jesus) is
foretold. V. Call to Repentance and Tithing (Malachi 3:6-12) A.God calls the people to
return to Him and promises blessings if they bring their tithes and offerings
faithfully. B.A challenge is issued to
test God's faithfulness. VI. Rebuke for Arrogance and Complacency (Malachi
3:13-4:3) A.The people are criticized
for their arrogant words and complacency regarding their relationship with God. B.The day of the Lord is described as
a day of judgment and reward. VII. Conclusion (Malachi 4:4-6) A.The book concludes with a
call to remember and obey God's commandments. B.A promise of the return
of the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
