Names of the Book
English: | Malachi |
Hebrew: | מלאכי |
Transliterated: | Mal'akhi |
Other names: |
Who
Wrote the book: | Malachi |
Are the key people: | Malachi, the Levitical priests |
Is it written to: | The people of Judah living in Jerusalem |
What
The priests and their sin (Malachi 1:1-2:9) |
The masses and their sin (Malachi 2:10-3:15) |
The few who remain faithful (Malachi 3:16-4:6) |
When
Was it written: | c 430 BCE |
Did the events occur: | c 430 BCE - future |
Was it canonized: | c 499-100 BCE |
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh) |
Where
Was it written: | Jerusalem |
Did the events occur: | Jerusalem |
Why
Malachi was written to inform us that: |
G-d's love for us is great. |
The priests of Malachi's day were corrupt and sinful. |
Many people in Malachi's day were sinful. |
G-d's love leads Him to send the Messiah for us. |
Introduction
The book of Malachi concludes the historical and prophetic message of the latter prophets of Israel. Although the nation had briefly turned back to G-d during the time of Zechariah, Judah had once again strayed after the messianic age they anticipated had not materialized. Widespread divorce between husbands and wives reflected the growing divorce in the hearts of nation between themselves and G-d. Malachi calls for a revival within the nation especially focusing on the priesthood (which had grown corrupt) and the widespread injustice and growing coldness towards G-d. Malachi's appeal to choose G-d's path of righteousness, even when we don't feel like it, reflects the Lord's heart of faithfulness and His desire for His people to remain faithful to Him.
Scripture- Book Selection