The Book of Malachi
The temple had been rebuilt, but times of prosperity had not come. The people were suffering drought, famine and blighted crops, and they met these conditions with indifference and spiritual lethargy. They had forgotten God and treated Him with Dishonor. They had also married foreign women. Against such a background Malachi, meaning "My messenger," was written.
Since the term "My messenger" occurs in 3:1, and since both prophets and priests were called messengers of the Lord, some have thought "Malachi" was only a title that tradition has given the author. There is no certainty about this, however, and it seems likely that Malachi was in fact the author's name. The book was probably written around 433-430 B.C.
Since the term "My messenger" occurs in 3:1, and since both prophets and priests were called messengers of the Lord, some have thought "Malachi" was only a title that tradition has given the author. There is no certainty about this, however, and it seems likely that Malachi was in fact the author's name. The book was probably written around 433-430 B.C.
Malachi's message is filled with indictments and warnings. He rebukes the Jews for doubting God's love (1:2-5) and for the faithlessness of both priests (1:6-2:9) and people (2:10-16). How quickly the nation had forgotten! Only through repentance and reformation will the people again experience God's blessing (3:6-12). That "great and terrible day of the Lord" (4:5) was coming, and Malachi both reassures and warns his people.
priests. He prophesized that God would sending a messenger to prepare the way (this is John the Baptist), “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts” (3:1). Finally, he addressed the topic of tithes and offering and that God is stolen from when people disobey it.
Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, ends much differently than the first book began in Genesis.
Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” A beautiful and perfect relationship began between God and man.
Malachi 4:6, “He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."
Quite a contrast between the first and last verse. “The sin of mankind” made all the difference. The Old Testament begins with the magnificent power of God’s infinite creation and ends with fear and separation from God with a desperate need of a Savior.
The New Testament (Covenant) actually begins in the Gospels when Jesus takes His last breath proclaiming, "It is finished!!" (John 19:30, Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46) It was the blood of Jesus that was the ultimate sacrifice placing us under the New Covenant of grace. In three of the gospels, it is mentioned that the veil was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45) This gives us an open door to God through Jesus. Everything changed from this point forward. See Covenant for a deeper description.
continue to Matthew...
