Introduction
Overview
Malachi addresses the postexilic community—those Israelites who have returned to Jerusalem and the surrounding areas after the Babylonian captivity. Some may have thought that this return was the great and glorious restoration that the earlier prophets had predicted, but the postexilic prophets (Malachi, Haggai, Zechariah) disagree and remind everyone that the great day of the Lord still lay primarily in the future, even though the return of the exiles could be viewed as the early beginnings of God’s unfolding plan of restoration.
Malachi is particularly concerned with how Israel will live and worship God in the meantime, while they await the coming day of the Lord. Thus Malachi speaks strongly against the corrupt forms of worship and living that were occurring in his time—unacceptable sacrifices, corrupt priests, refusal to tithe and support the temple, and social injustice. The book of Malachi is structured around six dialogues between God and the Israelites in Jerusalem.
Malachi the Prophet
Nothing is known about Malachi, his ancestry, or his place of residence. According to the church fathers, Malachi was a Levite from the region of Zebulun. It is impossible to verify this assertion, but Malachi’s concern with the corruption of worship, the glory of God, the corruption of the priesthood, and the tithe would support the priestly interests if not the background of the prophet.
Date
Malachi lived after the exile in a world filled with shattered hopes. Scholars are in general agreement on the postexilic date of this book, and though there is some minor disagreement, his ministry is dated around 440 BC. This date fits the present archaeological evidence of the devastation of Edom by the Nabateans (1:3–4), the reference to the “governor” of the Persian province (1:8), the existence of the temple, and the moral and social problems portrayed in Ezra-Nehemiah.
Historical Context
Following Israel’s return from exile, the prophetic promises were only partially fulfilled. The prophets had spoken about the renewal of the covenant, the restoration of the people to the land, the messianic kingdom of peace, the renewal of temple worship, the continuity of the priestly ministry, the rebuilding of a glorious temple, and a new era characterized by Isaiah as the new Jerusalem (Is 65:17–25).
The religious enthusiasm characteristic of the returning exiles and the contemporaries of Haggai and Zechariah had waned. The restoration of which the prophets had spoken had not yet come. God had not “shaken” the nations, and the messianic kingdom had not yet been established. The Lord had not blessed his people as he had promised. The era of fulfillment had turned into a period of waiting. While waiting, some had exchanged their beliefs for the fast life (3:5, 15), while others were cynical about the value of organized religion. A minority remained faithful regardless of how bad the times were (3:16).
Theological Themes
God raised up Malachi to address the problems of cynicism, formalism, and unfaithfulness, and questions about the benefits of godliness. Malachi defends the love, honor, and justice of God. God’s love is shown by his election and care for his own. God, Father of Israel and king of the universe, expects his children to respond to his love, honor, and justice.
The theme of God’s faithful love opens (Hs 1–3) and closes (Mal 1:2) the Minor Prophets (also called “the Book of the Twelve”).
The focus of the prophet is on the veracity of God and on humanity’s responsibility. The Lord is faithful, even when it seems as if he does not respond. The prophecy encourages all who remain faithful to him to persevere. Malachi calls for responsibility in marriage, sacrifice, religion, social concerns, tithes, and observance of God’s laws. He redefines the “godly” as those who persevere in godliness. Israel may no longer claim any automatic hold on God but must show that they have the Spirit of God. God is faithful to his own and will richly reward his children.
Literary Features
Malachi is the twelfth of the Minor Prophets. The placement of the book after Zechariah may have been not out of chronological considerations but because of the connecting phrase, “A pronouncement: The word of the LORD” (1:1), also found in Zch 9:1; 12:1. The prophet uses a disputation form to move his audience from the presumptions that their relationship with the Lord is good and that God is at fault to the conclusion that they all, priests and people, are under judgment. The Lord’s favor rests on a small community within Israel and will extend to all who fear him, including people from the nations.
Outline
1. Introduction (1:1)
2. God’s Love for His People (1:2–5)
3. The Honor of God (1:6–14)
4. The Knowledge of God (2:1–9)
5. Intermarriage and Divorce (2:10–16)
6. The Justice and Patience of God (2:17–3:6)
7. The Tithe (3:7–12)
8. God’s Love for the Remnant (3:13–4:3)
9. Conclusion (4:4–6)