Author

Malachi wrote the book bearing his name (1:1). This is the only time in the Bible this name, meaning "my messenger," appears, and Malachi describes the office of priests as "the messenger of the Lord" (2:7), foretold the coming "messenger" (3:1), John the Baptist (Mark 1:1-4), and the "Messenger of the covenant" (3:1), Jesus Christ. Like John and Jesus, Malachi called upon the Jews to repent. Nothing is known of Malachi other than what appears in his book.

Date

At the time Malachi wrote, Israel was under a Persian governor (1:8). Levitical worship had been restored (1:7-10; 3:8), but the sacrifices were corrupted (1:7-8,14), the hearts of the people were not in their worship and service (1:12-13), the priests corrupted the law (2:7-9), the men were divorcing their Jewish wives to take foreign wives (2:10-16), and they were not tithing as commanded (3:8-10). The people were impoverished and oppressed (2:17; 3:11). This fits the time Nehemiah was twice appointed governor of Judah (445-432 BC), and Malachi probably wrote during this period, joining Nehemiah and Ezra in one last divine effort to save Old Testament Israel.

Audience

Israel had become hardened skeptics (1:2; 2:12-13,17; 3:14-15). Like spoiled children, they talked back to God. Ten times Malachi represents them denying God’s charge (1:2,6-7,12-13; 2:14,17; 3:7-8,13). Israel, even the priests, had lost their reverence for God (1:6-7,12)

Style

Malachi introduces a new style of teaching, which became the norm in Jewish synagogues, called "didactic-dialectic." He presents a charge, raises a supposed objection by his hearers, and answers the objection.

Theme

Malachi pleads with Israel for the Lord, "Return to Me, and I will return to you" (3:7). This is the exact same message proclaimed by Zechariah 80 years earlier (Zechariah 1:3). Thus, Malachi's message is identical to Zechariah’s: Return to the Lord. At the same time Ezra the scribe was restoring the law, and Nehemiah led the people in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Authority

Malachi claims the Lord as the source of his message 25 times (cf. 1:1-2).

Overview

With Malachi, the Lord makes his last vain attempt to save Israel by His prophets. Now all that is left to do is to send His Son as His final revelation. Malachi closes the Old Testament with a look backward in His appeal to Israel to keep the law (4:4) and a look forward in his promise:

"The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings" (4:2; cf. 3:1; 4:5-6).

Outline

1. Introduction - 1:1
2. Call to Repentance - 1:2 - 3:18

a. Israel Denied Love of God - 1:2-5
b. Priests Despised the Lord - 1:6 - 2:9
c. Jews Divorced their Wives and Married Foreign, Idolatrous Women - 2:10-16
d. Israel Denied Divine Justice - 2:17 - 3:6
e. Israel Robbed God - 3:7-12
f. Israel Said Service to God Is Useless - 3:13-18

a. Coming Judgment - 4:1-3
b. Looking Backward and Forward - 4:4-6