Malachi
Reading Guide - Malachi
Background:
Malachi prophesied about 100 years after the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple, and about 400 years before Jesus was born.
But the people were just as corrupt as their ancestors; their lives were full of injustice and poverty.
Design of the book - A series of six disputes between God and the people
Chapter 1 through 2:16 God exposes Israel’s corruption
Dispute 1 - God: “I have shown love to you”; People: “How have you shown love to us?” God: “I chose your ancestor Jacob.”
Dispute 2 - God: “You despise me and defile my temple”; People: “How have we despised you?”; God: “You do not bring me your best sacrifices and the priests go along with it.”
Dispute 3 - God: “You have turned against me and your wives”; People: “How?”; God: “Through idolatry and adultery.”
Chapter 2:17-3 God confronts Israel’s corruption
Dispute 4 - People: “You have neglected us, where is the God of justice.”
God: “I will send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and I will come to bring justice.”
Dispute 5 - God: “Turn back to me”. People: “How can we turn back to you?” God: “ I want to bless you. Be faithful to me.”
Dispute 6 - People: “It is pointless to serve God; wicked people succeed and God does nothing.”
How does Malachi answer this objection of the people?
Chapter 4 Conclusions
1-3 The wicked will receive justice and the remnant will rejoice.
4-6 Concluding appendix to the Torah and the Prophets
Remember the Torah (Law) (Teaching) of my servant Moses.
I will send you the Prophet Elijah before the day of the Lord.
He will encourage the people to return to me.
Read the following:
Matthew 11:1-14
Matthew 16:13-19 Why did some think Jesus was Elijah?
Matthew 17:1-13 Why did the scribes say that “Elijah must come first”?