The Message of Malachi: About 100 years had passed since the return of the Jews to the land.
The city of Jerusalem and the Second Temple had been built, but the initial enthusiasm had worn off.
Key Verse
6 “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
7 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’
Malachi 3:6-7 (NASB)
Available Lessons
- Introductory Lesson
- Lesson-01: Trampling on God’s Name
- Lesson-02: Covenant Breakers
- Lesson-03: Repent and Return
- Lesson-04: The Fate of the Wicked and the Righteous
Content Outline
Setting and Timeline
“Although there had been a few high points in Israel’s history, e.g., Joshua, David, and Josiah, the Jews had seemingly lost all opportunity to receive God’s favor since less than one hundred years after returning from captivity, they had already sunk to a depth of of sin that exceeded the former iniquities which brought on the Assyrian and Babylonian deportations.
So Malachi wrote the capstone prophecy of the OT in which he delivered God’s message of judgment on Israel for their continuing sin and God’s promise that one day in the future, when the Jews would repent, Messiah would be revealed and God’s covenant promises would be fulfilled.
There were over four hundred years of silence, with only Malachi’s words ringing in their ears, before another prophet arrived with a message from God.”
Dr. John MacArthur
“While Nehemiah was back at his post in Shushan (Neh. 13:6-7), things began to fall apart in Jerusalem, and when he returned, he had to take some drastic steps to reform the nation.
It’s possible that the prophet Malachi was called at that time to expose the sins of the people and call them back to God.
The conditions described in the book of Nehemiah (poor crops, faltering economy, intermarriage with heathen, defilement of the priesthood, oppression of the poor, lack of support for the temple, and a general disdain of religion) are the very things Malachi deals with in his book.
It was a low time spiritually for Judah, and they needed to hear the Word of God.”
Dr. Warren Wiersbe
“The Book of Malachi is located at a point of transition too. It comes at the end of the Old Testament, but it anticipates the New Testament.
Malachi’s ministry bears the same relationship to Nehemiah as Haggai and Zechariah’s ministries bore to Zerubbabel and Joshua. He describes the Israel as it existed at the very end of Old Testament history.
But in describing the Judaism of Malachi’s day the book also vividly describes the moribund religiosity of any era, including our own.”
Dr. James Montgomery Boice
“Malachi appeared on the scene almost a century after Haggai and Zechariah. The spiritual life of Israel had declined in the interval, and Malachi spoke about bored priests, blemished sacrifices, and hard-hearted people who were just going through the motions of worship.
Malachi’s prophecy is written in the form of a dialogue between God and the people of Israel, centered on six issues.
These six arguments and their subject matter provide a general outline for the book, as Malachi deals with (one) God’s love for Israel; (two) the people’s careless approach to worship; (three) the nation’s careless view of marriage; (four) the injustice that filled the land; (five) the sin of withholding tithes; and (six) God’s intention to judge sinners and reward the faithful.”
Dr. David Jeremiah
“Malachi accuses Israel of selfishness after the exile and announces that the day of the Lord will purify Israel and prepare them for God’s kingdom.
One hundred years after exile, the Israelites who had returned to Jerusalem were as evil and corrupt as their ancestors.
The book of Malachi addresses their corruption regarding issues like sacrifices, marriage and tithing. It also affirms that God does love His people and will fulfill prophecy.”
The Bible Project
References
- The Minor Prophets Volume 2 (Micah – Malachi): An Expositional Commentary by James Montgomery Boice
- Be Amazed: An OT Commentary on the Minor Prophets by Warren W. Wiersbe
- The MacArthur Bible Commentary: by John MacArthur
- The Bible Project: Malachi