Malachi

 

Historical background & Purpose of Prophet:

Little is known about the prophet Malachi, except that his name means “My Messenger.” It is hard to establish a date for Malachi, but the sins he is calling out and themes he expresses would fit well with Nehemiah and Ezra’s time (Steve during lecture). This would also fit with the explanation of time given in Nelson’s on pg 275: “Nehemiah had come to Jerusalem in 444 B.C. to rebuild the city walls, but returned to Persia in 432 B.C. On his return to Palestine (425 B.C.), Nehemiah dealt with the sins described in Malachi. Thus it is likely that Malachi proclaimed his message while Nehemiah was absent between 432 and 435 B.C.”

God character and Nature:

“I have always loved you…”(Malachi 1:2) God is a God of eternal love. God is a God who is faithful, holding up his covenant. (Malachi 2:5)  God is full of truth, he’s a teacher, he’s good and righteous. (Malachi 2:6) God is a “…blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.” (Malachi 3:2) This passage shows God as a redeemer, refiner and the cleanser of our sins. “I am the Lord, and I do not change.”(Malachi 3:6) God is constant and consistent.

God’s redemptive plan:

The end of Malachi is brimming with parts of God’s plan to prepare his people for Jesus. John the Baptist was prophesied about as “…the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’” (Malachi 3:1, Matthew 3:3) This was fulfilled 300 years later. Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts gives an amazing visual about God’s redemptive plan to send Jesus (Pg. 276) Malachi prophesies that a messenger of the covenant will to the temple and purify His people (3:1,3), Christ comes to bring judgment (4:1), As the sun of righteousness Christ will heal His people (4:2), John the Baptist will be his forerunner, preparing the way (3:1, 4:5).

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet.” (Malachi 4:2-3)

Personal Application

“…the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.” Malachi2:14-15

In this season I feel like God is destroying all my preconceived ideas or dreams about covenants, and in their place building a firm foundation for the outstanding beauty and truth found in covenant. The seriousness of vows and covenants we make before God regarding marriage and giving our lives to him are very important and matter to God. In this verse we see the key to protecting our covenants so we can remain faithful. The key is an action: we must protect our hearts. And what is the reward? Not only joy and oneness in marriage (I can imagine!) but also we see a blessing from God that comes forth: children! In the same way; when we take seriously our covenant we’ve made with Jesus and stay faithful to him it will take hard work and guarding our heart; but we will have fruit in our lives.

Point of Passion:

Malachi was written to shake a complacent people from going through the motions of life. For oppressed women discovering Jesus this book would speak to Gods hatred of half-heartedness. We must come fully into our true identity and fight to keep God’s perspective. Another theme addressed in Malachi is disappointment when things don’t look how we thought. We must create a foundation of believe in the character and goodness of God, remembering our identity so we will not be disillusioned by challenges.