We know this because the jews were under a civil ruler the governor of malachi 1. The book of malachi begins with an affirmation about the love god has shown to generations by choosing jacobs family to carry his covenant promise. Behold i send my angel, and he will clear a way before me. But those 55 verses contain a message for the ages. Information and translations of book of malachi in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. The theme of the book of malachi seems to be found at chapter 3. Malachi is merely a transliteration of a hebrew word meaning my messenger. The book malachi has more verses spoken by the lord1 st person directly to israel, at a whopping 47. Scripture chapters verses with full summary, commentary meaning, and concordances for bible study.
Book of malachi overview old testament survey study. The book of malachi has an introduction with the same design as that used by haggai and explained above. The outline provided in the section on structure was also much more detailed than that of haggai. When the right question is asked, everyone in the conversation is given an open door to say what they are thinkingand to learn in the process. Purpose of writing gods last message to his earthly people israel is directed to the remnant that returned from the. We know this because in malachi s day the temple was rebuilt malachi 1. This introduction will focus on the examination of the following points. With this last work in the minor prophets, god closes. His name only appears this once but his words are quoted 15 times in the new testament including once by jesus matthew 11. We know this because in malachi s day the temple was already rebuilt malachi 1. In chapter 4, the last chapter of the old testament, malachi addressed, the great and terrible day of the lord vs. The word is often translated as burden in the kjv and carries with it the meaning of this. This book is titled malachi because that is the name of the prophet who wrote the book.
Commentary on the book of malachi by matthew henry old. Theme of malachi the theme of the book of malachi seems to be found at chapter 3. Today we begin a new book of scripture, moving to the tanak tnk portion of our bibles. Top 5 commentaries on the book of malachi ligonier ministries. The book of malachi, also called the prophecy of malachias, the last of 12 books of the hebrew bible old testament that bear the names of. Author and time of writing malachi, the name of the last book of the ot, means my messenger.
Commentary sermon notes book of malachi matthew janzen i loved jacob, but hated esau malachi pt. For those seeking an introductory level commentary on malachi, the best available is the one by baldwin in the tyndale series. Malachi, the last prophet of the old testament, wrote this postexile book to the israelites as stated in the opening verse. Then those who feared the lord talked with each other, and the lord listened and heard. The book of malachi, also called the prophecy of malachias, the last of 12 books of the hebrew bible old testament that bear the names of the minor prophets, grouped together as the twelve in the jewish canon. This summary of the book of malachi will help with many different forms of bible study. The book of malachi exposes israels corruption and offers hope. Malachi 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Book of malachi read, study bible verses online bible study tools.
But, believe me, malachi has some good answers from the lord. The book of remembrance is most likely a reference to the book of life mentioned in the bible philippians 4. The book of malachi exposes israels corruption and offers. In the hebrew text the third and fourth chapters of the a. Malachi is the last book of the old testament covering events that occurred around 475400 b. It also calls the people to correct their wrong attitudes of 1joyce g. Malachi s prophecy indicts the religious leadership of the day and chides gods people for their spiritual apathy and their skepticism and cynicism concerning gods plan for their future. Priests failure to instruct the people 19 priests lips should safeguard knowledge 7 people guilty of unjust divorcing 1017 i hate divorce, says jehovah 16 3. Malachi served god either at the time of nehemiah or immediately after that book ended. Jan 31, 2017 the insights tom has gained from memorizing the entire book of malachi and the great contributions they offer to bible students.
Malachi ministered either at the time of nehemiah or immediately after his book closes. Malachis unique position as the final book of the old testament offers a glimpse into the hearts of israelite men and women, members of a nation that had been specially chosen by god, descendents of abraham, and inheritors of the rich tradition of the jewish people. Malachi, the last book of the old testament, is separated from the book of matthew by a silent period of more than 400 years, and yet, these two books tie together in a remarkable way. Malachi free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. This was gods warning through malachi to tell the people to turn back to god.
The book is also alluded to a number of times in the new. The book of malachi was written between 440 and 400 b. Commentary on the book of malachi by matthew henry. The book of malachi is quoted four times in the new testament. And since they are the lords answers, it is the lord who has a sense of humor. Book of malachi explained go to malachi index title. The religious leaders, priests and scribes, became more zealous for expounding on the word of god, so much so that by the time of christ their commentaries and traditions had prevented them from seeing the. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Covenant broken god admonishes the men who married foreign women, worshiped their gods or divorced their wives to be faithful to their covenant with him and marriage. In the christian ordering, the grouping of the prophetic books is the last section of the old testament, making malachi the last book before the new testament.
Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Malachi complete bible book chapters and summary new. The name malachi means my messenger and may be more of a title than a persons name. Introduction from the niv study bible go to malachi. We will also see that this man malachi in a very definite way was a messenger. With this last work in the minor prophets, god closes the old testament canon historically and prophetically. Malachi would have prophesied sometime during the time nehemiah was away or. One hundred years after exile, the israelites who had returned to jerusalem were as evil and corrupt as their ancestors. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. In chapters, malachi identified the sins of the jews, including their priests. Literary analysis of covenant themes in the book of malachi. Commentary on the book of malachi by yair davidiy some highlights of the book of malachi. Intro to malachi biblica the international bible society. In hebrew the book is titled ykalm meaning messenger of yahweh or my messenger b.
Watch our overview video on the book of malachi, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Book summary malachi is the last message of prophecy given to israel prior to 400 years of silence. Introduction from the niv study bible go to malachi author. Oracle a prophetic speech of threatening character. Third, malachi s calling to account was intended to elicit repentance and obedience. Malachi receives a word from yahweh that chastises the people in hopes of causing a return to the true genuine worship towards the father. Read malachi 2 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The book of malachi presents god speaking back in answer to the proud cries of the self righteous. According to this scheme, the book of malachi consists of a series of disputes between yahweh and the various groups within the israelite community. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the lord and honored his name. Malachi would have prophesied sometime during the time nehemiah was away or during his second term as governor.
Mar 05, 2021 the book of malachi, also called the prophecy of malachias, the last of 12 books of the hebrew bible old testament that bear the names of the minor prophets, grouped together as the twelve in the jewish canon. It was arrogant and haughty and presumptuous and even insulting. The purpose of malachi is to deliver stern rebukes to the people and priests, to call them to repentance, and to promise future blessing. The last book of the old testament consists of just 55 verses.
They were indeed robbing god by refusing to pay tithes and by their offerings. Historically, there was a long, long time when no voice spoke for god, no prophet came to israel. David guzik commentary on malachi 1 describes gods love for a rebellious israel, which he declares through the prophet malachi. Malachi had already addressed the issue of their offerings in the first chapter. Book of malachi explained discover books of the bible. Malachi speaks of future troubles and wars with edom malachi 1. The book of malachi is the last book in the bibles old testament. The book of malachi closes the ministry of the prophets.
Written at a time following the return from the babylonian captivity, the book of malachi illustrates the steady and ongoing infidelity of yahwehs people in the. He spoke of gods judgment on the jews, who had repeatedly fallen away from the lord into sin and disobedience. Extensive verse by verse explanation, illumination and clarification of this prophetic book seen though the lens of middle east culture and the ancient near east. The religious leaders, priests and scribes, became more zealous for expounding on the word of god, so much so that by the time of christ their commentaries and traditions had prevented them from seeing the promises of god happening before their very eyes. I hope you enjoy this book because it is a great little book, by the way. The phrase the sun of righteousness appears in malachi 4. It is striking, however, that before the lord rebukes the people, he begins by affirming his electing love for them, which is the reason they. These 12 books are called minor not because they are less inspired or of less importance, but because the prophecies are shorter. Fourth, malachi sought to remind the people that their repentance and obedience were prerequisites to divine blessing and preparation for the coming of a divine messenger. Study the bible online using commentary on malachi 2 and more. A chapterbychapter bible study of the book of malachi 3 introduction to malachi questions are a great way to start a conversation. Theres a few more charts and tables in this one to help the reader.
It is a postexilic book, meaning it was written after the return from captivity in babylon. The purpose of this book is that malachi wrote to ensure. Verse 1 malachi wrote his book in the hebrew language. Malachi was a mostlyanonymous prophet whose ministry occurred in jerusalem during the era of nehemiah and ezra. The title is derived from the prophecys author, malachi.
This was gods warning through malachi to tell the people to turn back to. The book of malachi is arguably the most relational of the minor prophets. The book is ascribed to malachi, whose name means my messenger. The book of malachi contains six oracles or disputations that each begin with a saying of the people, to which the lord responds through his prophet. Malachi is the last book of the old testament and is a book of prophetic oracle. The contents of the book of malachi are comprised in four chapters. Jehovahs love for his people 15 priests presenting inferior sacrifices 614 gods name to be great among the nations 11 2. Though the people changed gods ordinances regarding sacrificing malachi 1. It might be an abbreviation of malachjah which has the meaning of messenger of jehovah.
In hebrew, the name comes from a word meaning messenger. The old testament prophet, malachi, knew the art of conversation. Summary of the book of malachi the story of the bible. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole. Israel has rebuilt the temple, following the invasions of. Malachi is the final book of the 12 minor prophets, which the jewish scholars viewed as one book although recorded by 12 different scribes over a period of perhaps 350 years.
Malachis prophecy was followed by a period of four to five hundred years of prophetic silence before the lords advent occurred. Malachi is the last book of the twelve minor prophets and the last book in the old testament. Malachi 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. In the last chapter of malachi there is a description of what will occur to the incorrigibly wicked in their day of judgment. When the word of god to us brings about, and carries on, the work of god in us, then we cannot but know that he sent it to us, that it is not the word of malachi gods messenger, but it is indeed the word of god, and is sent, not only in general to all, but in particular to us. Feb 25, 2016 at the time that malachi wrote this book the children of israel were in a terrible spiritual state. Malachi spoke for the lord with a warning that the people must turn back to god. The final book of the old testament, malachi received its name from its author malachi 1. Book of malachi overview insight for living ministries. Despite all of the rebellion and unfaithfulness and smugness in their confidence in religious externals, god in his compassion still professes his love for his elect people and lays out for them the choice between blessing and cursing as he calls them to repentance. The whole consists of three sections, preceded by an introduction malachi 1.
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