Malachi seems to go with Zechariah 8-14 as a third oracle. Some wonder if our current division is a less than optimal dividing of the canon. This stretch of the Hebrew canon is called the "Twelve Scrolls." What if the twelfth scroll should have begun at Zechariah 8?
Similarly, malachi is Hebrew for "my messenger." It thus isn't immediately clear whether it is someone's name or an anonymous reference to an unknown messenger of Yahweh.
1:4 -- God's permanent judgment on Edom (for its part in Israel's captivity) (oppression)
1:6-8 Israel's lack of honoring God by offering him second-rate sacrifices (love God) ... who cares about sacrifices?
1:14 -- giving less than the best to God
2:1-9 -- the problem with Israel's priests, and they have caused Israel to stumble. They have shown partiality, 2:9 (social justice)
2:11 -- marrying women who worship foreign gods (other gods)
2:14-16 -- divorcing the wives of their youth (concrete wrongs to others)
3:1-4 -- God will restore proper worship (hope)
3:5 -- "I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty." (social justice)
3:6-12 Not tithing. Not giving God his due. (love God)
3:17 -- restoration of righteousness (hope)
Chapter 4 -- coming judgment and restoration (hope)
Summary:
Malachi clearly calls Israel to love God appropriately. They are only serving God superficially and half-heartedly. There is a smidge of mention of other gods. Equally is the call for "social justice" and not wronging others. Finally, there is hope for future restoration.
1 comment:
Good summaries.
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