The pronouncement

Starting today, we begin our study of the Book of Malachi. This prophetic book is the final call given to Israel. After this, no prophet appeared in Israel until the coming of John the Baptist. Keeping that in mind, let us engage in the study of this book. “The pronouncement of the word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi” (v 1). This is the introduction to this prophetic book. The word “pronouncement” is the Hebrew word “massa,” which can also be translated as “burden.” When this word appears in a prophetic book, it indicates a message with extreme weight – more specifically, a prophecy containing God’s warning and judgment. Therefore, a more literal translation of verse 1 would be: “The heavy word of the Lord delivered to Israel by the hand of Malachi.” The opening verse summarizes the content of this prophetic book.

A prophet named Malachi

“Malachi” means “My angel” or “My messenger.” In this prophetic book, four kinds of “messengers of the Lord” appear. (1) The prophet Malachi himself is one of them (1:1). (2) The priest (the priesthood) is also “the messenger of the Lord” (2:7), (3) The forerunner of the Messiah is likewise called “My messenger” (3:1a). This refers to John the Baptist, (4) Finally, the Messiah Himself comes as “the messenger of the Lord” (3:1b). (1) Malachi was a prophet who ministered in Judah (especially in Jerusalem) after the Exile. The fact that the word “governor” (pehah) (1:8) is Persian rather than Hebrew indicates that he ministered during the Persian period. Furthermore, since the temple was already standing, we know that his ministry took place after the completion of the Second Temple (after 515 BC). (2) The issues Malachi addressed correspond to the problems described in the Book of Nehemiah: (a) the corruption of the priests (1:6-2:9; Neh. 13:4-9, 29-30), (b) intermarriage with unbelieving Gentiles (2:10-11; Ezra 9:1-2; Neh. 13:1-3, 23-27), (c) the oppression of the socially vulnerable (3:5; Neh. 5:1-5), and (d) neglect of offerings (3:6-12; Neh. 10:32-39; 13:10-14, 31). Based on these facts, it is likely that Malachi was a prophet who encouraged Nehemiah, the political leader of the time. Malachi rebuked a faith that had become merely formal and superficial. His message provides many lessons for us in this present age as well. Let us seek a living faith rather than a dead faith. Even today, God is speaking to us through various means.