Background+of+Malachi

toc =Introduction to Malachi: =

Malachi concludes the Minor Prophets section, and is thought of as a link between the Old and New Testaments.[|[i]] An argument exists over whether the term Malachi is a proper name or a title. Malachi means “my messenger”- which is not the most appropriate name to give a child.[|[ii]] Several reasons for Malachi to be the proper name of the prophet include the facts that:[|[iii]] the other prophetic books were named after their authors, it is in the right place within the sentence to be a proper name, and there is a very old custom of using this word as a proper name.[|[iv]] = = =Historical Context: =

Malachi is in the context of the post-exilic period.[|[v]] The time period of Malachi is in dispute. No direct evidence exists for a specific time period.[|[vi]] However, the term used for the word governor is from post-exilic times.[|[vii]] The book was most likely written sometime in the early 2nd century BC.[|[viii]] During this period the Jews were scattered throughout the Persian Empire, had lost a correct view of God (evident in their neglect of proper temple practices), were intermarrying with pagans,[|[ix]] and fighting with those who had never left the land during the exile in Babylon.[|[x]] Malachi views appropriate taxes and tithes as a sign of respect for God and a desire to return to Him.[|[xi]] Several problems existed in the time of Malachi:[|[xii]] Edom was growing stronger and becoming more threatening. Divorce and intermarrying were rampant. People were breaking their vows because of problems in the temple. The Jews were confused about such basic things as right and wrong. The entire society was in a condition of poverty, and there was a lack of regard for faith and punishment for sin.[|[xiii]] = = =Literary Form and Connections: =

The book breaks down into six main sections.[|[xiv]] God loves Judah and spurns Edom (Malachi 1:1-5). The priests are confronted (Malachi 1:6-2:9). Divorce is condemned, as well as mixed-race marriages (Malachi 2:10-16). God’s justice and fairness are confirmed (Malachi 2:17-3:5). The people are urged to tithe (Malachi 3:6-12). Malachi offers encouragement that serving God is far better than the alternative (Malachi 3:13-4:3). The book is arranged as a chain of charges against the Jews founded on the imaginary questions that they ask God.[|[xv]] = = =The Message of the Book: =

The message of the book is the theme of God’s covenant with His people. It identifies God as the initiator and maker of the covenant. Exposing His majesty is a theme that is woven throughout the book, continuing from the preamble.[|[xvi]] He is called the God of the covenant 21 times throughout the book. Secondly, Malachi reminds the Jews of their relationship to God.[|[xvii]] He reminds the Jews of their repeated turning away from God’s commands and their need to remember the law.[|[xviii]] Malachi reminds the Jews of the stipulations of the covenant,[|[xix]] and of the blessings and curses that accompany it (Malachi 2:17-3:5).[|[xx]] The over-riding point of his message is the healthiness of the covenant relationship.[|[xxi]] In the end, God encourages His people, assuring them that He has always loved them, and will not forget their covenantal relationship.[|[xxii]]

1. Pieter Verhoef, //The Books of Haggai and Malachi// NICOT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1987), 153 2. Ibid, 154 3. Ibid, 155 4. Ibid, 155 5. Ibid, 160 6. Ibid, 156 7. Ibid, 156-157 8. P. R. Ackroyd, A.R.C. Leaney, and J.S. Packer, //The Books of Haggai Zechariah and Malachi,// CBCNEB (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1977), 137 9. Verhoef, //The Books of Haggai and Malachi,// 160 10. Richard Deutsch and Graham Ogden, //Joel and Malachi: A Promise of Hope~A Call to Obedience// ITC (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1987), 69 11. P.R. Ackroyd, A.R.C. Leaney, J.S. Packer, //The Books of Haggai Zechariah and Malachi,// 135 12. Richard Deutsch and Graham Ogden, //Joel and Malachi: A Promise of Hope~A Call to Obedience,// 70 13. Ibid, 70 14. P.R. Ackroyd, A.R.C. Leaney, J.S. Packer, //The Books of Haggai Zechariah and Malachi,// 136 15. Balmer Kelly, //Micah-Malachi,// 1st ed (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1962), 129 16. Verhoef, //The Books of Haggai and Malachi,// 180 17. Ibid, 181 18. Ibid, 181-182 19. Ibid, 182 20. Ibid, 183 21. Ibid, 183 22. Ian Duguid, //Haggai Zechariah Malachi// EPSC, (Carlisle: EP Books, 2010), 189-190 Bibliography: Ackroyd, P.R.; Leaney, A.R.C.; Packer, J.S. "The Cambridge Bible Commentary on the New English Bible: The Books of Haggai Zechariah and Malachi." New York: Cambridge Univerysity Press, 1977. Deutsch, Richard and Ogden, Graham. "Joel and Malachi: A Promise of Hope~A Call to Obedience: International Theological Commentary." Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1987. Duguid, Ian. "An EP Study Commentary: Haggai Zechariah Malachi." Carlisle: EP Books, 2010. Kelly, Balmer. "The Layman's Bible Commentary, Micah-Malachi 15." Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1962. Verhoef, Pieter. "The Books of Haggai and Malachi: New International Commentary on the Old Testament." Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1987.

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