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The Book of Zechariah
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MALACHI
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
20 From https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Malachi.html
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