Page 160 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

The Book of Zechariah

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aqxLiGYeJ02c1XYnT1&index=12

MALACHI cxxxvi

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.

"How do we bring blemished offerings to God (Malachi 1:8)?"

In Malachi 1:8, the Lord accuses Israel of bringing Him blemished offerings: “‘When you bring blind
animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not
wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?’ says
the Lord Almighty.”

Bringing animal sacrifices to the temple that were blind, disfigured, or sick was a direct violation of the
Mosaic Law (Leviticus 22:22; Deuteronomy 15:21). The reason for this command was that such sacrifices
dishonored the Lord. “Do not profane my holy name” (Leviticus 22:32). They were sacrifices in name
only; a true sacrifice must cost something, and there was no pain involved in getting rid of something

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