Page 117 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook- short

The Book of Zechariah

MALACHI (From https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Malachi.html)

Prophet: Malachi, ‘My messenger’

Date: mid-late 5th c. B.C.

Setting: Post-exilic (cf. Ezra-Nehemiah, governor, intermarriage, tithes, social justice)

Form: Disputation (argue, anticipate, affirm) and Exhortation

Theme: Cleansing the Community

Purpose of Writing: The Book of Malachi is an oracle: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi
(1:1). This was God’s warning through Malachi to tell the people to turn back to God. As the final book of
the Old Testament closes, the pronouncement of God’s justice and the promise of His restoration
through the coming Messiah is ringing in the ears of the Israelites. Four hundred years of silence ensues,
ending with a similar message from God’s next prophet, John the Baptist, proclaiming, “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2).

Key Verses:

Malachi 1:6, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due
me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the Lord Almighty. It is you, O priests, who show
contempt for my name. 7By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted
you?' By saying that the LORD's table may be despised. 8When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that
not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor;
will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.

116