Malachi
Malachi is the last Old Testament prophet, confronting Israel's spiritual apathy, corrupt worship, and social injustice after the exile. He promises the coming of a messenger to prepare the way for the Lord.
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๐ About This Book
Purpose
To confront a complacent priesthood and disillusioned people - the last prophetic word before 400 years of silence.
Audience
The post-exilic community that had become spiritually apathetic.
Key Themes
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Did You Know?
- The last book of the Old Testament - then 400 years of silence
- Malachi means 'my messenger'
- Written about 430 BC - the latest OT book
- Predicts the coming of Elijah before the Messiah (fulfilled in John the Baptist)
- Contains 'I have loved you, saith the LORD' as its opening theme
- Rebukes priests for offering blind and lame animals
- Contains the famous tithing passage (3:8-10)
- Uses a question-and-answer dialogue format throughout
- Ends the OT with the word 'curse' - the NT opens with 'blessing'
- The 400 silent years between Malachi and Matthew are the intertestamental period