Introduction to Malachi

In this post I will introduce the book of Malachi by talking about the author, the background of the book, and the themes.

Who was Malachi? Actually, scholars aren’t even sure Malachi is a real name. You see the name simply means, “my messenger.” The same word appears twice in verse 3:1, and all it means there is simply “my messenger.” The ancient Jewish people thought the messenger who wrote the book was Ezra, but there is not substantial proof of this found anywhere else in Scripture. Many recent commentators support the idea the Malachi is actually a proper name and refers to an actual prophet functioning in Judea at the time. Regardless though, the introduction in 1:1 makes it clear that the author is functioning as the mouth piece of God to relay a message to His people.

What is also interesting about the first verse of Malachi is that it begins by stating that it is an “oracle.” The use of this word firmly links it to the books of Haggai and Zechariah as post exilic literature, that is, stuff that was written after the exile ended and the people began to return to Jerusalem and Judea. Thus, the oracle of Malachi takes place during the same situation or religious infidelity as Ezra and Nehemiah.

Remember, Ezra was the high priest who led back many Jews and under his leadership helped to reform the people. Then Nehemiah came back as governor and continued the social and religious reforms, but also began reconstructing the wall around Jerusalem and the Temple. You would think that the people would have learned their lesson about what it means to be obedient to God, and the consequences of disobedience. But apparently they had not.

In Nehemiah’s time the rich were oppressing the poor, the non-Jews were oppressing the Jews, and the people had once again intermarried with foreign women and were allowing themselves to be dragged away from their oath to be faithful to Yahweh only. Nehemiah is given great power as governor of Judea and is able to deal with all the economic and social issues by setting the example within his own household (Nehemiah 5), and some great political maneuvering (Nehemiah 4, 6). But the issues of faithfulness and living within the bounds of the covenant always seemed to come up. Despite the religious reforms Nehemiah instituted, when he left for several years to return to Persia, the people fell back into their sin. When Nehemiah returned and saw the religious infidelity of the people be reacted with righteous anger to bring the people back into line with God’s will and law. The festivals, Sabbath, tithes, and Temple were restored and the people were admonished to live sinless lives.

Malachi picks up on many of the same issues Nehemiah describes: bringing offerings and tithes and keeping the covenant (Malachi 1:6-2:9, 3:6-12); judgment on Judah for their current disobedience (2:17-3:5); and God’s refining and sanctifying power for those who truly turn to Him (3:3-4). All these items draw the reader back to the main theme of the book: the Covenant. The people seemed to only want the perks of the covenant, and not the consequences of disobedience to it. So they tried to make God something that they fit in with their life when it was convenient. God, however, shows that he will not have any of this, and renews his threats against the people in order for them to understand just how abdominal their behavior was as supposed followers of the one true God.

God insists that they do things right. He will not abandon them, but He also will not let them continue in their sinful ways and make a mockery of His requirements, Covenant, glory, and power. God is the same today: even though we live under the New Covenant, God still insists that if we claim that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, then we had better live like it. The book of Malachi is very relevant for Christians today and contains lots of great promises to hope for and look forward to, and some very sobering reminders of what unfaithfulness and unchristian behavior look like.

Now you should have a basic understanding of why the book of Malachi was written (there was obviously a problem), and the main goal of it (to bring the people back into right relationship with God). The next several posts will cover a key passage in the book of Malachi that can be easily misunderstood if not seen through the correct lenses. Stay tuned!