The Book of MalachiUntil this day, many Bible historians dispute over the authorship of the Book of Malachi. Some says that Malachi is a title given to a person. While the other says that Malachi is a name. Aramaic Targum and Septuagint suggest something other than just a personal name. The Aramaic Targum identifies Malachi with Ezra. While Septuagint translation mentioned Malachi as messenger . The debate is still going on. But one thing for sure, Malachi was indeed God s messenger and the message he brought was from God. Date & Occasion of Authorship The book is to be dated about the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. The reference to the governor (Or bupati in ITB; 1:8) suggests that the book is written in the Persian period. Malachi s empasis on the law (Mal 4:4) would indicate the time of Ezra s ministry in restoring the authority of the law (Taurat) among the Israelites (Ezra 7:14,25,26). Conditions and problems confronted by Nehemiah are also found in the prophecy of Malachi. This suggests that the date of authorship is in the same period. 1. Marriage with foreign wives (Mal 2:11-15; Neh 13:23-27) 2. Neglecting tithe (perpuluhan: Mal 3:8-10; Neh 13:10-14) 3. Degenerate priesthood (Mal 1:6-2:9; Neh 13:7,8) 4. Social sins done by Israel (Mal 3:5; Neh 5:1-13) Theme Malachi reproves the priests and the people for the evil practices into which they had fallen, and invites them to repentance and reformation of faith, with promises of the blessings to be bestowed at the coming of the Messiah. He directs the people of God to keep in rememberance the law of Moses, while they were in expectation of the Christ. Style of Authorship The book of Malachi is very unique in term of the style of the writing. The book heavily uses disputational style. This is seen in the accusation against His people. The accusation is met by a cynical questioning of the charges. In response to the defiant response of the people, the prophet elaborates and defines the charges initially made. Example taken from Mal 1:7-8 Kamu membawa roti cemar ke atas mezbahku (accusation) tetapi berkata dengan cara bagaimanakah kami mencemarkannya? (cynical questioning) Apabila kamu membawa binatang yang (elaborating and defining charges) Outline I. Israel doubts God s love for them (1:1-5) I ve made this title for this section instead of using the one that is given by LAI ( Tuhan mengasihi Israel ) because Israelites said How have you loved us? . The question is really absurd because in the beginning of the verse (1:2), God said I have loved you . God has done the act of loving his people. God didn t say that He will love Israel or whatsoever. Yet Israel questioned His love.God has always done something before us. We may love God because He has loved us first. Degeneration of the priesthood (1:6-2:9) II. 1 We can infer that Israel has despised His name because the priests have polluted His altar by giving flawed and even physically defect and sick animal for burnt offerings (1:8. burnt offerings) as they supposed to do (v.6) because he is a merciful God (La 3:22) that will accept whoever that return to His presence (v. III. b. thus the children of Jacob are not consumed (v. Israel s Failure in marriage practices (2:10-16) a. thus God will reject them.4) so that they will do everything (in this case. 2 .5) and purifythe priests (v. I Corinthians 10:31: So. 8). Marrying idolatrous wives (2:10-12) This same problem can be seen in Ezra 9:2.a. Divorce of Israelite wives (2:13-16) In my opinion. accept such offerings? The act of giving blemished animal as burnt offering instead of the perfect one from his flocks(v.13. Priests polluted offerings (1:6-14) The disputational style is seen twice consecutively from verse 6 until the 8th. 12) God elaborates this blasphemy by comparing burnt offering with presenting gift to a governor. His Unchanging promise to forgive repentant (3:6. The law expressly prohibited such offerings (Lev 22:22. Even an ordinary human reject such a gift! How could God. The priests shown partiality in their instruction (2:9.7) God never changes (Nu 23:19). it seems that Israel has been faithless with their wife and divorce them to get married with idolatrous wives. Neglect of God s Law (2:1-9) The priests in the time of Malachi has turned aside from His way. or whatever you do. whether you eat or drink. In other words.7). But the priests take an act of compromise (v. compare with 1:12).4). They are not doing what a priest supposed to do (2:6. the only perfect being. God s weariness (2:17) In Malachi. Deut 15:21) . It seems that the fruits of Solomon s action is not a sufficient witness to stop them from doing so! b. IV. do all to the glory of God. V. Of course the governor will reject the gifts given by Israel. b. God s response to sin (2:17-3:5) a. 14) is parallel with what Ananias and Sapphira have done in Acts 5. selingkuh. God s Desire to Bless (3:6-12) a.14). They have caused many people stumble by their instruction and corrupting the covenant of Levi (v. Purifying work of the messenger (3:1-5) God will judge the sinners(v. 7). the offenses revolve around the cynical rejection of God s moral government and the attendant insolent spirit that constantly puts God on trial. The godly conduct of the faithful (3:16-18) God will judge the wicked and He will show the distinction between one who serves God and one who does not (v. God even says test me (v.5) which is John the Baptist (Lk 1:17).5) 3 . Israel has done another mistake. What s the matter in giving only a tenth of what should always been His? VI. That s why God command them to bring the full tithe (v.18) c. the Lord will send Elijah (v. They are sparing some of their tithe for themselves. Num 18:26.16. The day of the Lord (4:1-6) Two images of fire are used in Malachi to describe the Lord: a refining fire (3:2) and a destroying fire (4:1). everything that we have is His. But before His coming. 14) because they see that the wicked is prosperous (v. Israel robs God (3:8-12) Beside the burnt offerings.10) to his people because He will reward everyone who give their offerings to God sincerely. Deut 14:22 -29). b. Tithe has been codified in the law of Moses (Lev 27:30.2) is referring to the Messiah. compare with Job 21:15). Distinction between the Righteous and the Wicked a.10). He asks Israel to stay still in His way and the Law (v. The harsh words and attitudes of the cynical (3:13-15) Israel has doubt His promise to them and think that serving God is useless (v.b. But before His coming. The sun of righteousness (v. They think that there is no difference in the life of the Righteous and the Wicked. God is not a dictatorial ruler that take everything from his people and leave nothing behind. Besides that.