198. MALACHI THE PROPHET

"Who may abide the day of His coming^”

 

The work of rebuilding the Temple had received encouragement from the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Nehemiah had returned and under­taken the rebuilding of the wall. He had remained in Jerusalem for twelve years and then returned to Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 13:6). While he was away spiritual decay set in and on his return he commenced a series of reforms (Nehemiah 13). The problems he had to contend with are the same ones mentioned in the prophecy of Malachi and so it is reasonable to assume that Malachi prophesied at this time.

 

Malachi 1-4.

 

MALACHI'S METHOD OF WRITING.

In this prophecy there is an interesting style of writing by the prophet Malachi, as he endeavours to arouse his people to their responsibilities. The prophet first made a declaration which was countered by an objec­tion from the people. Then the prophet proceeded to expose their sins.

 

For example:

1. The prophet's declaration: "A son honoureth his father, and a ser­vant his master: if then I be a father, where is my honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith Yahweh of hosts unto you" (1:6).

The people's objection: "Wherein have we despised thy name?"

 

2. The prophet's exposure of their sin: "Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar ..." (v.7).

 

There are eight such queries and answers. Read through the prophecy and locate them all and this will help your understanding. The prophet had to use this way of speaking because it clearly brought home to Israel their godlessness. They were blind to the extent of their sins. Like Laodicea, they "knew not" that they were "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). Not only were they blindly engrossed in evil attitudes and practices, but they even posed as righteous. Sin is deceitful, and it is only by constantly examining ourselves with God's righteousness and our waywardness as shown in the word of God, that we can avoid falling into the same trap.

 

"MY MESSENGER"

Malachi's name means "My Messenger". He represents the voice of Yahweh in Israel; and as he warned the people, he spoke of another messenger who would come — even the Lord Jesus Christ (Malachi 3:1) who will bring about a great reformation at his second coming (Malachi 3:13-4:6).

 

WORDS OF CONDEMNATION AND COMMENDATION.

Not all the words of this prophet were of condemnation and warning. There were some in Israel at this time who had not followed the evil prac­tices and wickedness which was the way of life for many. These few would have gathered together regularly to speak "one with another" con­cerning the things of Yahweh and to strengthen themselves in the glorious hope set before them (Malachi 3:16).

 

But there were those who said, "It is vain to serve God". They were discontent and their faith was weakened because of it. It seemed to them that the arrogant were happy while the righteous were miserable: that the wicked seemed to prosper while those who were faithful were in poverty (Mal. 3:14-15).

 

But Malachi was quick to remind them that there is a day coming when those who tempt God will be cut off, but the righteous shall be saved (Mal. 4:1-2).

 

MALACHI WARNS — NEHEMIAH ACTS. Malachi and Nehemiah 13:7-31.

Malachi's message sounded forth with the voice of protest and warning before Nehemiah appeared on the scene to perform the more vigorous acts of reform.

 

Notice the following comparisons between the words of Malachi and the way in which Nehemiah acted:

 

1. Marriage with those outside the Truth:

2. Corruption of the covenant made with the Levites.

3. The tithing laws forgotten

 

1. MARRIAGE WITH THOSE OUTSIDE THE TRUTH— Malachi 2:10-16.

In the wisdom of God it was declared "... Thou shalt not make mar­riages with them ... for they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods . . ." (Deuteronomy 7:3-4; Joshua 23:12, 13). There were many tragic examples of failure due to marriages made with those outside the Truth to back up the prophet's warning. One ob­vious example was that of King Solomon (see lesson No. 7).

 

During the days of Malachi many had put away their Jewish wives and married strange women. God who is loving and sympathetic was grieved at the distress of these Jewish women who came and wept at his altar. He therefore said to the cruel husbands that unless they showed love and kindness to their wives, He would not accept their sacrifices. (Mal.2:11-17). Malachi plainly states God's attitude to divorce: He hates it! (v.16).

 

During the days of Malachi, even the priests had broken this law. There were so many mixed marriages that the children born as a result of these unions could not speak the language of the Law resulting in their disinterest for the Truth (Nehemiah 13:24). Those children who should have been a "godly seed" were so confused in their spiritual understan­ding that they were in danger of becoming like the Samaritans (cp. 2 Kings 17:33-41).

 

2. CORRUPTION OF THE COVENANT MADE WITH THE LEVITES—Malachi 2:1-9.

The priesthood is directly addressed — "And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you". God threatened to turn the blessings of the priesthood into a curse if they would not hearken to His words (2:2). God reminded them (i.e. the Levites) of how He had chosen them to be honoured with the priesthood and indirectly mentioned two occasions which brought about this choice (v.5-6).

 

1. At Sinai when they "feared before" Yahweh and refused to worship the golden calf (Exodus 32:26-29);

2. At Shittim when Phinehas reacted against Israel's conduct at Baal- Peor and received a covenant of peace and everlasting priesthood (Numbers 25:12-13).

 

As God's mouthpiece they had instructed many, but because they had now "departed out of the way" they had "caused many to stumble at the law", and "corrupted the covenant of Levi" (2:8). The following genera­tions failed to live up to the faithful instruction of the forefathers. There is a great need for children of Christadelphian parents to value the heritage of the Truth, to regard as precious the privilege of knowing the Truth and to resolve to preserve it from falling away to apostasy (see Psa. 78:1-8).

 

3. CORRUPTION OF THE PRIESTHOOD. Malachi 3:8-10.

Nehemiah, upon his return from Babylon, had found that Eliashib the High Priest was friendly with Tobiah and had given him lodging in a chamber of the house of God (see Nehemiah 4:3). Also he found out that one of Eliashib's sons was married to a daughter of Sanballat (Nehemiah chapter 4).

 

Obviously, if there was such corruption in the high places of the priesthood, then it was inevitable that this would have its effect upon the rest of the priesthood; so much so that the administration of the law became neglected. The tithes were not given to the Levites (Nehemiah 13:10; Malachi 3:8), trading, etc., was allowed to take place on the sab­bath (Nehemiah 13:15-22), and marriages outside the Truth were not questioned (Nehemiah 13:23-30; Malachi 2:10-16). They above all should have obeyed the Law, their bad example had turned many away from ser­ving Yahweh (Mal. 2:8).

 

COMING JUDGMENT. Malachi 2:17-3:6; 3:13; 4:3.

The people saw that God's judgment did not come upon those who did wickedly, therefore they thought that all their efforts to do righteously were pointless. It seemed that those who tempted God were delivered from evil whilst those who humbled themselves before Him still seemed to suffer (Mai. 3:15). They even questioned whether there was a righteous God at all. "Where is the God of Judgment?" (Mai. 2:17) they said.

 

Even though God did not bring judgment upon the evil-doers in the prophet Malachi's day, this does not mean that He had set it aside. His purpose involves a day in which the righteous and wicked will be dealt with according as their works have been by the "messenger of the cove­nant" (3:1), even the Lord Jesus Christ. The important question which these people of Malachi's day had to ask themselves was whether or not they were ready for him! "But who may abide the day of His coming?" In Him (the Lord Jesus Christ) Yahweh will "come near to judgment" and be "a swift witness" against all who do wickedly (3:5). Contrasted to those who did wickedly were the righteous, those "who feared Yahweh and spoke often one to another" about the truth (3:16). Their names are written in the "book of remembrance" and they will be given eternal life in the day of judgment.

 

"And they shall be mine saith Yahweh of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels" (Mal. 3:17). God has promised to make them His special treasure in the day when Christ returns.

 

BETWEEN MALACHI AND MATTHEW.

Upon the death of Malachi, the voice of the prophets was not heard for four hundred years, thus fulfilling the words of Micah who said that because of continued wickedness they would "not have a vision" (Micah 3:6).

 

During this period the following history took place:

 

• The Persians were defeated by the Greeks.

• Revolt by the Jews, led by the Maccabees.

• Judas Maccabeus in B.C. 165 recaptured Jerusalem, cleansed the Temple, and rededicated it.

• The Romans moved into Palestine in B.C. 66 — led by General Pompey.

• The Parthians took Jerusalem and placed a Maccabee on the throne.

• Herod the Great took Jerusalem and was made "King of the Jews". He was the terrible ruler who ordered the slaying of the Bethlehem babies at the birth of Christ. Upon Herod's death Jesus and his parents returned from Egypt (Matthew 2:1, 16-23).

 

LESSON FOR US:

Malachi denounced the priests for their lack of knowledge and failure to teach and uphold the truth. We as young people learning the Truth should not display these characteristics (1 Timothy 4:12-13). For example we should heed the warning of Malachi regarding marriage outside the Truth, recognising that it is against the commandment of God (2 Corin­thians 6:14-17; 1 Corinthians 7:39).

 

Even though those who do wickedly may seem to prosper, remember that it is only for a time. God has not overlooked judgment — only reserved it for the day He has appointed. The "messenger of the cove­nant" (the Lord Jesus Christ) will come suddenly, and we must watch and pray always and speak often one to another about the things of the Truth, that we may be accounted worthy to escape that judgment (Psalm 37:1-3; Luke 21:36).

 

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"Prophets after the Exile" (J. Carter).

"The Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield)—Vol. 7. Nos. 9, 10.

"Malachi" (J. Ullman)—C.S.S.S. Notes.

 

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. What does Malachi's name mean, and what message did he give to the people?

2. What were three of the things about which Malachi warned the peo­ple?

3. Who is the "Messenger" that is to come, and what will His work be?

4. How was the work of Malachi and Nehemiah similar?

5. Using the events of Malachi's days as an explanation show why it is wrong to marry an unbeliever.

 

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. God sent His prophet Malachi to reprove the people — in what ways were the people, Levites and the priests disobeying God?

2. Who is the "Messenger of the covenant" (Mal 3:1) and what will His work be? What lesson can we learn from this?