Malachi

The book of Malachi was written to correct the lax religious and social behavior of the Israelites – particularly the priests – in post-exilic Jerusalem.

A common rhetorical structure in the books is the following three part exchange:

·         The Lord makes an accusation

·         The accusation is questioned

·         The accusation is elaborated upon

1

‘I have loved you’, the Lord says to Israel. Jacob has been loved, Esau hated, which is why Edom has been laid waste. Despite resolving to return and rebuild, Edom will become known as the Territory of Wickedness. Sacrifices of defiled and blemished food (including blind, lame, or stolen animals) are condemned. The Lord’s name shall be great among the gentiles.


2

God will curse the wicked priesthood, and its descendants. The good example of Levi, with whom a covenant was made, is cited. There is a woeful failure to live up to Levi’s good precedent. The priests offend by marrying foreign wives. The neglected and divorced wives of the priests come and weep at God’s altar. When their priestly husbands then offer sacrifice at the same altar it offends God. There is grumbling that the wicked prosper more than the godly.


3

A messenger will come to prepare the way, then another messenger will come to his temple. Who can endure the day of his coming? He will purify the sons of Levi. The offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will once more be acceptable to the Lord. Sorcerers, perjurers and other sinners will be witnessed against. Return to the Lord. God has been robbed by the withholding of tithes and offerings. The people have grumbled that the proud and the wicked prosper, and that it is therefore useless to serve God. A book of remembrance is written for those who fear the Lord – they will be the Lord’s jewels. The distinction between the righteous and the wicked will become evident.


4

The day is coming, burning like an oven. The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. The wicked shall be trampled. Remember the law of Moses. Elijah will be sent before the day of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.