I. Name

Malachi, "My messenger," or "Messenger of Jehovah." The book throws no light on the question of authorship, beyond the mere name given in 1:1. Some, as Geo. A. Smith, finding the same word in 3:1, have concluded that we do not have even the name of the prophet, and Jewish tradition has the singular notion that he was not a man but an angel. Other Jewish traditions are that the real author was Ezra, or Mordecai, or Nehemiah, or Zerubbabel. It is much better to regard Malachi as the proper name of the author of the book.

II. Date

From internal evidence we learn that it was written after the captivity, but not until after the temple had been rebuilt and the sacrifices reestablished, 1:6 to 2:9. The people are represented as having fallen into the habit of contracting foreign marriages, 2:10-16; and an irreligious and skeptical spirit pervades all classes, 2:17 to 3:6. In civil life they were under a governor, 1:8, and constituted a province of the Persian empire. These facts point to the time of Nehemiah 's second term as governor, 430-425 B. C. Malachi would then stand related to Nehemiah much in the same relation as Zechariah stood to Ezra.

III. Style

The method pursued by the writer is peculiar. He first presents an accusation charging the people with some neglect of duty, then assumes that an objection is made to his charge, and concludes by answering the objection. In this way he drives the truth home with great power. It is written in good Hebrew but has many characteristics of the period. His matter of fact way of arguing prevents any elaboration of style, but when he dwells upon the Messianic future he presents much that is original in conception and expression.

IV. Teaching

In his treatment of the future he reveals the true prophetic spirit. He finds genuine worship of God among all nations, 1:11. The quenchless love of God for His people is graphically pictured, 1:2. The reality of repentance is tested by the life which follows, 2:13. He beholds the dawning of the sun of righteousness, and sees in it the only hope of deliverance, 4:2. Very graphic also is his apocalyptic vision of the coming of the Lord. To the wicked it will be like a fire sweeping through a forest leaving neither root nor branch, while to the righteous it will be as the morning dawn which ushers in the perfect day of salvation. But before that day Elijah the prophet will come to prepare the way by preaching repentance, 4:5.

V. Contents

The aim of the writer is to show the people that their weakened religious life is the cause of their moral and social troubles.

The book contains seven paragraphs:

1. Ch. 1:1-5. God's love for Israel is shown in the contrast between their condition and that of Edom.

2. Chs. 1:6 to 2:9. In consequence of Israel's failure to respond to the divine love, seen preeminently in the disgraceful conduct of the priests, Jehovah will send a curse on the nation.

3. Ch. 2:10-16. The sin of heathen marriages is denounced.

4. Chs. 2:17 to 3:6. The prevailing skepticism is exposed and the declaration is made that Jehovah will come suddenly to purge the priesthood and become a swift witness against transgressors.

5. Ch. 37-12. The people withholding tithes, God sends drought, and the assurance is given that if the people remember their obligations to God He will pour out rich blessings upon them.

6. Chs. 3:13 to 4:3. To the complaint of the people that it is idle to serve God, the prophet responds that Jehovah will come and make a distinction between those who serve God and those who do not.

7. Ch. 4:4-6. He then urges to a faithful compliance with the law of Moses and promises that Elijah will come to prepare the way for Jehovah's appearance.

LITERATURE

Commentaries: Orelli; G. A. Smith, The Book of the Twelve Prophets; Keil and Delitzsch; Pusey. Hengstenberg's Christology; Robertson Smith, The Prophets of Israel; Farrar, The Minor Prophets; article "Hosea" in Bible Dictionaries of Smith and Hastings; Introductions of Driver, Keil, Bleek; Stanley, History of the Jewish Church. Moore: Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi; Perowne: Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi in Cambridge Bible for Schools; Alexander, Zechariah, His Visions and Warnings; Geo. L. Robinson, "The Prophecies of Zechariah with Special Reference to the Origin and Date of Chapters IX-XIV," printed in The American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures Vol. XII., p. 1.