Malachi - Introduction

Introduction

Author

WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT the author of the book bearing his name other than that Malachi means “my messenger.” Because God is the one speaking in the vast majority of the verses, it’s clear that the book’s emphasis is on the message rather than the messenger.

Historical Background

There’s nothing in the book to allow us to date it with certainty, but certain bits of evidence favor a date after the Babylonian exile. The mention of a governor in 1:8 points to the Persian period when Judah was a province or sub-province of the Persian Empire. In 515 BC, the Jerusalem temple had been rebuilt and worship reestablished (1:6-11; 2:1-3; 3:1, 10). But, the enthusiasm inspired by the ministries of Haggai and Zechariah had waned. The social and religious problems that Malachi addresses reflect the situation portrayed in Ezra 9 and 10 and Nehemiah 5 and 13. This suggests a date not long before Ezra’s return to Judah (ca. 460 BC) or Nehemiah’s second term as governor of Judah (Neh 13:6-7; ca. 435 BC).

Message and Purpose

Malachi is the in-your-face prophet who has one simple message: Take God seriously. The priests of his day were playing religious games, going through religious motions, and leading God’s people to worship casually. Malachi was called to confront God’s people with who he really is. When you understand who God is and how much he loves his people, you don’t treat him carelessly.

God was insulted by the sloppy worship of Malachi’s time: people were bringing him animals for sacrifice that they wouldn’t serve to their human leaders. They didn’t esteem God as the great King that he is. Moreover, they were divorcing without cause because they didn’t take God’s covenant of marriage seriously, and they were robbing him of the tithes due to him. God’s people were acknowledging his name without engaging his person.

As a result, things were falling apart. Locusts were destroying the agriculture. Yet, through it all, the people acted as if they’d done nothing wrong. The book of Malachi is a call to all of us that, while God is a loving Father, he is not to be taken lightly. His kingdom demands our total allegiance.

VIDEO INTRO

Outline

1. Introduction (1:1)
2. Taking God’s Love Seriously (1:2-5)
3. Taking Worship Seriously (1:6-14)
4. Taking Covenants Seriously (2:1-9)
5. Taking Marriage Seriously (2:10-16)
6. Taking God’s Justice Seriously (2:17–3:6)
7. Taking Giving Seriously (3:7-12)
8. Taking Reverence for God Seriously (3:13-18)
9. Taking God’s Sovereignty Seriously (4:1-6)