Mal 1:1

See Lesson, Prophet, the.

See Lesson, Minor prophets, and their messages.

See Lesson, Post-exile period, dates.

Mal 1: “With its clear insight into the real needs of the times, its stern reproof even of the priests themselves, its bold exposition of eternal truth and of the certainty of ultimate national judgment, and its vindication of righteousness, the series of prophetic books of the OT closes with Malachi in a manner not unworthy of its lofty predecessors. Contemporary with Nehemiah, the prophet Malachi brought the reality of the poor spiritual condition to the nation that had fallen into apostasy during the time when Nehemiah returned to a ‘far country’ (Persia) to report on the work of his first visit. Malachi speaks as though the temple was built, reproving the people for neglect of the true worship. He shows that the ecclesia had despised the love of Yahweh, and sought their own gratification rather than developing the spirit of dedication in His service. The title of Yahweh Tz’vaoth occurs 24 times in the four chapters of the prophecy, reminding the nation of the overriding authority of the Deity, and the terms of discipline for disobedience. So the book provides a divine Oracle, an urgent Warning, and an encouraging Exhortation. The prophet seems to have spoken during the approximately 12 years of Nehemiah’s absence: a type of the absence of the Divine Governor at the right hand of the Father. The first chapter reveals: (1) Israel is called upon to acknowledge its privileges: vv 1-5. (2) How Israel despised the divine love: vv 6-11. (3) Israel profaned the holy things of Yahweh: vv 12,13” (GEM).

AN ORACLE: This title verse explains what follows as the oracle of Yahweh’s word that He sent to Israel through Malachi. The Hebrew word “massa”, translated “oracle,” occurs 27 times in the Prophets (eg, Isa 13:1 Nah 1:1; Hab 1:1; Zec 9:1; 12:1; etc). It refers to a threatening message, a burden that lay heavy on the heart of God and his prophet.

THE WORD OF THE LORD: “The word of Yahweh” refers to a message that comes from Him with His full authority. “Yahweh” is the name that God used in relationship to Israel as the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. What follows is evidence that Israel was in trouble with Yahweh because the Jews had not kept the Mosaic Covenant. Yahweh, of course, was completely faithful to His part of the covenant.

MALACHI: Which sig “my messenger”. The “messengers” of Malachi: (1) Malachi himself, (2) the priests (Mal 2:7); (3) John the Baptist and (4) Jesus (Mal 3:1); and (5) Elijah the prophet (Mal 4:5).

The prophet’s name was appropriate since God had commanded him to bear this “word” to the people of Israel. The prophet was not the source of the revelation that follows; he was only a messenger whose job it was to communicate a message from Yahweh (cp Mal 2:7; 2Pe 1:20,21; Heb 1:1).

Notice the similarities between the prophecy of Malachi and Neh 13. Malachi was the “messenger of the covenant” (Mal 3:1) [“Malachi” means “my messenger”!] — who had reported to Nehemiah that the Jews in Jerusalem had forgotten the “covenant” they had made with him, and with God (Neh 10:29-39):