Malachi • Overview

General Information:

Final Old Testament book written under the inspiration of God. Following its completion came 400 years of prophetic silence that was broken by the arrival of the forerunner, John the Baptist (prophesied in 3:1).
Only prophetic book that ends with judgment (4:6) — a fitting conclusion that anticipates the need for the coming Messiah.
The structure centers on a series of probing questions (six oracles containing ten rhetorical questions and answers) from God to the people.
This is a vivid encounter between God and His covenant people — 47 of the 55 verses are addressed to Israel in the first person.

Author:

Malachi means "My Messenger" or "My Angel" (Zech. 1:9, 11).
In all of the Old Testament, he is only mentioned in 1:1.
He ministered during the days of Nehemiah.
We know nothing of his ancestry or hometown.
He was bold to confront the priestly class and social elite (1:1-14; 2:1-9; 3:2-4).
Jewish tradition says he was a member of the Great Synagogue (a council of scribes and other leaders who helped to reorganize religious life and culture after the Babylonian exile).

Persian domination of Israel due to the Persian term for governor (pechah) — (1:8) and references to "a book of remembrance" (3:16) and "the sun of righteousness" (4:2).
The temple was rebuilt (515 BC) and sacrifices were being offered (1:7-10; 3:8)
Many parallels with Nehemiah regarding Judah’s failures (see below).

Jerusalem was under the rule of the Persian governor. She was plagued with insignificance and external hostilities.
Lacking success in light of the promised prophecies (Hag. 2:6-9, 20-23; Zech. 8:1-13) led to discouragement (3:6-12). Judah began to question the need to serve God (3:14).
Because of this skepticism and doubt, she once again lapsed into many of the same sins that led to her first captivity.
Many of these internal problems are specifically addressed in the book of Malachi (they are very similar to the ethical issues mentioned in Nehemiah).

Corrupt priests (1:6-2:9; Neh. 13:7-9)
Mixed marriage (2:11-15; Neh. 13:23-27)
Divorce (2:16)
Social injustice (3:5; Neh. 5:1-13)
Neglecting tithes and offerings (3:8-10; Neh. 13:10-14)

Against this dismal setting Malachi brought God’s Word as His "divine messenger."

Appeal to encourage Judah to repent and serve the God who loves her with righteousness and vigor.
Reveal the character of God who blesses for obedience, but chastises for disobedience.
Reminder of the future hope and judgment when God will visit the people (3:1-5; 4:1-6).

Israel’s covenant relationship (see 1:2-5; 2:8, 10-16) with God (His faithfulness and their faithlessness) and its expectations for righteous living.

Idolatry (2:10-13)
Divorce (2:14-16)
Judgment at His coming (2:17-3:5)
Robbing God (3:6-12)
Doubting God (3:13-15)