Articles
Reading Malachi
Reading Malachi
While we cannot give an absolute date for the book, James Smith dates it at 432B.C.. The ESV Study Bible says that it is after 516 and parallel with Nehemiah (which is dated 445 – 423 B.C.) The added: “The most compelling evidence for dating Malachi, however, is the substantial parallel between the sins reproved by Malachi and those reproved by Ezra and Nehemiah. These include corruption of the priesthood (Neh. 13:4–9, 29–31; Mal. 1:6–2:9), marriage to idolaters (Ezra 9–10; Neh. 10:30; 13:1–3, 23–27; Mal. 2:10–12), abuse of the disadvantaged (Neh. 5:1–13; Mal. 3:5), and failure to pay tithes (Neh. 10:32–39; 13:10–13; Mal. 3:8–10). “
The book is presented as a series of ‘talks’ between God and Israel. They are, in spite of the sins noted in the above quote, clueless about why God is allowing (causing?) their present situation. We thus end the Old Testament (as arranged in our bibles) with God yet calling His people to repentance. As He has done all along the way with the prophets, He also puts forth a promise of hope.
First, in Malachi 3:1 He says: "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.
Then, at the very end He says: 5 "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 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." Malachi 4:5-6
As we read through the New Testament, these two prophecies are quoted / alluded to and applied to John the Baptist and Jesus. First: Jesus states: 10 "This is the one about whom it is written, 'Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.' [quoting Mal. 3:1] 11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13 "For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John” (Matthew 11:10-13).
Jesus then adds the part concerning Elijah (from Malachi 4: ): “And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come” (Matt. 11:14).
To this He added when asked why the scribes said that Elijah must come first: “And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things; 12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist” (Matt. 17:11-13).
We can summarize: John came calling men to repent, thus preparing the way for Jesus. Jesus followed, calling men to repent but was REJECTED then RAISED. He then sent the apostles to call men to REPENT. Those who repent, becoming disciples, who believe and are baptized into His name, are saved from condemnation. Those who don’t can only look forward to condemnation for their sins (Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-19; Acts 2:38-41; Luke 24:44-47).
The LORD is coming again, are you ready for that day?
Hugh DeLong
