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THE MINOR PROPHETS (Chronological Order)

MALACHI

LESSON TWELVE

INTRODUCTION:

 God’s people had been back in Jerusalem from Babylonian exile for over one hundred years.  Instead of becoming better , they had become worse.  They had fallen short of glorifying God in (a) worship and sacrifices, (b) tithes, and (c) marriage and divorce.  At the close of the Book, Malachi’s cry is for God’s people to keep the Law of Moses.  No more word is promised until one comes in the spirit of Elijah before God’s final judgment.  

I. AUTHOR OF THE BOOK:

 A. Malachi: “my messenger” (Jehovah’s messenger; cf. Haggai 1:13).

 B. Septuagint Translation- “The word of the Lord by the hand of His angel” (Mal. 1:1).

 C. The name occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament.  

II. DATE OF THE BOOK:

            A. 450-430 B.C.  

B. Some believe Malachi’s work occurs after the days of Ezra (457 B.C.) and before the days of Nehemiah (444-432 B.C.).

C. Others see Malachi filling the gap after Nehemiah left Jerusalem (432 B.C.) and right before his return to Jerusalem – maybe a time of 1-3 years.

D. Possible time scenario:  Twenty-five years had passed since Ezra – at this time Ezra may have died.  Nehemiah, after twelve years of being in Jerusalem as governor, goes back to Persian ruler (Artaxerxes – cf. Neh. 13:6).  In the time period that Nehemiah is away, Malachi presents his words of reform.  Nehemiah executes the reforms on his return.  

  

III. MALACHI’S DISTINCTIVE STYLE OF REVELATION

A. Known by the later scribes as “didactic” – dialectic” style.  The logical teaching style would be used in synagogues.

B. Characteristic:

 1. Assertion or charge

 2. Fancied objection raised

 3. Prophet’s refutation

            C. Eight examples in Book – “yet ye say…”

             1. God’s love, where is God’s honor, Priests sin (1:2, 6, 7)

             2. Consequence of divorce, impugning God’s justice (2:14, 17)

             3. Returning to God, Robbing God, Words against God (3:7, 8, 13)

IV LESSONS FROM THE BOOK (George L. Robinson – ISBE, Vol. III; p. 1970)

A. Ritual in religion is important, but not as an end in itself.  Tithes and offerings are necessary under the Law of Moses, but only as an expression of a sincere moral and deeply spiritual life (1:11).

B. Cheap religion avails nothing – sacrifices  given grudgingly are displeasing to God.  Better that a temple be closed than filled with such worshippers (1:8-10).

C. Divorce and intermarriage with heathen idolaters thwart the purpose of God in securing to Himself a peculiar people (2:15).

D. There is eternal discipline in the Law.  Priests are custodians and expounders of the Law – people should be able to seek knowledge of God at their mouth.

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK:

 Title: author and tone of prophecy – “burden of the word of Jehovah” (1:1)

I. COMMENDATION OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND CONDEMNATION OF THE PRIESTS’ FAITHFLESSNESS (1:2-2:9)

 A. Jehovah’ love for Israel – Judgment of Edom (1:2-5)

 B. Rebuke of sacrifices of Jews – Superior service of Gentiles (1:6-14)

 C. Curse pronounced upon the faithless priests (2:1-9)

II. CONDEMNATION OF DIVORCE AND MIXED MARRIAGES (2:10-16)

 A. Treachery committed against wife of the covenant

 B. Marrying heathen women – profaned God’s holiness

 C. God has sought a holy seed.

III. CONDEMNATION OF RELIGIOUS INDIFFERENCE AND SKEPTICISM – “DAY OF THE LORD” (2:17- 4:6)

 A. Jehovah’s approach in Judgment and His unchangeableness (2:17 – 3:6)

 B. Holding back tithes – robbing God (3:7-12)

 C. Defense of Jehovah’s justice (3:13-4:3)

 D. Final admonitions – keep Law; Elijah the messenger and work of preparation    (4:4-6)

QUESTIONS:

1. How had God demonstrated His love for Israel?

2. How does Paul use 1:2 in Romans 9

3. How had the priests despised the name of Jehovah?

                                                                                                               

4. What principles of sacrifice are seen in 1:8?

5. Instead of empty ritual in worship, God wished that one would do what?

6. Why does Malachi bring the Gentiles into the discussion of offerings and sacrifices?

7. What was God’s requirements for the priests in his covenant with Levi?

8. How had the priests in Malachi’s day failed in meeting these requirements?

9. In what areas had God’s people dealt treacherously?

                                                                                                                    

10. What does God think of divorce?

                                                                                                                                  

11. How had the people wearied Jehovah?

12. In 3:1, who is the messenger that would come before the day of judgment?

13. The promise of a refined priesthood will be fulfilled when?  

14. What was at the root of all the sins in 3:5?

15. What is an immutable principle that we can always depend upon concerning God?

16. God is always ready to return unto us when we ___________________ unto ____________________.

   

17. How were the people robbing God?  Can God’s people do this today?   Explain:

18. What attitude had crept in among the people that is described as speaking “against” Jehovah?

19. What is important about God’s “book of remembrance.”

20. Who would come before the great and terrible day of the Lord?  When would this be fulfilled?