Introduction to Malachi

The book of Malachi addresses the situation in Judah sometime after the temple was rebuilt in 516 bc, following the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon. The message of the book is about the covenant—Israel’s contract with God (compare Exod 24:1–8). The book records six legal disputes in which God either defends His own faithfulness or accuses the people and their leaders of forsaking their covenant. The book ends with a promise of the coming of Elijah and the Day of Yahweh. Malachi addresses how God is faithful to His covenant love, even when we doubt His faithfulness.

Background

Based on the book’s opening verse, the author is traditionally thought to be a prophet named Malachi. However, “Malachi” is the Hebrew word for “my messenger,” and it might not be used here as a proper name. No date is given in the book, but the prophet’s ministry seems to have occurred sometime between the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple (516 bc) and the time of Nehemiah (ca. 444–432 bc). Although the temple had been rebuilt, Malachi shows that the reforms inspired by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (starting in 520 bc) had little effect.

Malachi concludes the Old Testament canon of the Protestant Christian tradition. Thus, the Old Testament ends with Malachi’s promise of God’s messenger who is to come (Mal 4:5–6). When you turn the page to the New Testament, the Gospels show the fulfillment of this expectation. The Gospel writers show how John the Baptist, in the spirit of Elijah, prepares the way for Jesus (Mal 3:1–4; 4:5; Luke 1:16–17).

Structure

Just as priests would help resolve legal conflicts (Deut 17:8–13), Malachi is mediating a court case between God and the people. The book contains a series of six disputes that have a similar pattern: God speaks, the people question Him, and God delivers a rebuttal. The theme of the first dispute (Mal 1:2–5) is that God loves Israel. When the people ask how He has loved them, He contrasts His unwarranted kindness toward them with His anger toward their neighbors, the Edomites. In the second dispute (Mal 1:6–2:9), God rebukes the priests for failing to honor Him. In the third dispute (Mal 2:10–16), He criticizes His people for being unfaithful to Him and to one another. The theme of the fourth dispute (Mal 2:17–3:5) is that God is just, but the people have acted unjustly. In the fifth dispute (Mal 3:6–12), God speaks against the people for withholding tithes from Him. In the sixth dispute (Mal 3:13–4:3), God draws a distinction between those who speak arrogantly and those who revere Him. Those who revere God will be blessed on the Day of Yahweh. The book ends with a reminder to uphold the law of Moses and a promise that God will send Elijah the prophet before the Day of Yahweh, which is a promised day of judgment and restoration (Mal 4:4–6).

Outline

• First dispute: against Edom (Mal 1:1–5)

• Second dispute: against the priests (Mal 1:6–2:9)

• Third dispute: God despises unfaithfulness (Mal 2:10–16)

• Fourth dispute: the messenger of Yahweh (Mal 2:17–3:5)

• Fifth dispute: withholding tithes (Mal 3:6–12)

• Sixth dispute: the Day of Yahweh (Mal 3:13–4:3)

• Summary and the prophecy of Elijah to come (Mal 4:4–6)

Themes

Malachi addresses the motive behind people’s worship. Merely going through the religious motions does not guarantee that God will bless a person or community. When religion is practiced for personal gain, it can cause great harm. The people’s accusations against God reveal their true motives: They were performing their religious duties and thought that God owed them for their obedience, even though their worship was halfhearted and hypocritical. Although the people had a temple in which to worship, the nature of their worship had not been changed by the exile: They were still living as if religion could save them. Instead, they must remember that they are God’s cherished possession and that He loves them as a father loves a son, just as He loves us today (Mal 3:17–18).

The prophet calls for renewal, both in the temple and in the community as a whole. He calls out the people for failing to worship properly and failing to honor their covenant with Yahweh. The prophet also proclaims that while sin demands God’s judgment, a faithful remnant of people will survive—with the help of a new Elijah (Mal 3:1–5; 4:5–6). These actions set the stage for the Messiah, the one who will bring justice and salvation to the world (Mark 8:28; 9:11–13). Malachi shows us that what we really need is a transformative relationship with Yahweh Himself.

Further Reading

The Minor Prophets

Malachi, Book of CLBD

Malachi the Prophet CLBD