Malachi was the last prophetic word that Israel had for 400 years
until John the Baptist, about whom Malachi prophesied (see below).
This period between the Old Testament and the New Testament
is called the Intertestamental period.
We have had the following timeline so far for Israel:
- Moses is sent to free Israel from Egypt.
- Israel wanders in the wilderness for 40 years.
- Moses leads the people to Canaan.
- Joshua leads the people into the Promised Land.
- Israel dwells in the land for about 800 years, see The Book of Habakkuk.
- The Babylonian army conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem,
takes people captive, see the Babylonian captivity. - 70 years pass until a Persian king releases the Jews to return home.
- The temple and the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt.
- Israel is still under Persian control.
The people persecuted the prophets because they told them things that they didn't want to hear. In the end times we will have teachers who say what the people
want to hear (2 Tim 4:3), see itching ears. The people won't accept
corrective messages from God. God rebukes us to become more sanctified.
We should endure hardship as discipline, see the first part of The Book of James.
want to hear (2 Tim 4:3), see itching ears. The people won't accept
corrective messages from God. God rebukes us to become more sanctified.
We should endure hardship as discipline, see the first part of The Book of James.
God had chosen Jacob, their ancestor, but rejected Esau, who was Jacob's older brother (Mal 1:2–5, Rom 9:10–13, Gen (1 Mos) 25:22–23). God chooses people according to his own purposes (Rom 9:11b). See also The book of Obadiah.
They are examples that our salvation isn't by works, it's because
God has chosen us because he loves all of us, see The Predestination Theory.
See God is sovereign in God's Attributes (Rom 11:33–36, Isaiah 55:8–9).
Notice, however, that Esau was blessed materially (Gen 36:6–7),
see time 11:33–14:43 in The Meeting of Jacob & Esau – Genesis 33.
They are examples that our salvation isn't by works, it's because
God has chosen us because he loves all of us, see The Predestination Theory.
See God is sovereign in God's Attributes (Rom 11:33–36, Isaiah 55:8–9).
Notice, however, that Esau was blessed materially (Gen 36:6–7),
see time 11:33–14:43 in The Meeting of Jacob & Esau – Genesis 33.
God hated Esau with respect to the covenant (Rom 9:13, Mal 1:2b–3).
He was rejected considering that he wasn't chosen to inherit the Abrahamic covenant given to Abraham. The expression "hate" doesn't mean to hate mercilessly,
but is a Hebrew expression for comparison where someone is chosen
and thus becomes more loved.
He was rejected considering that he wasn't chosen to inherit the Abrahamic covenant given to Abraham. The expression "hate" doesn't mean to hate mercilessly,
but is a Hebrew expression for comparison where someone is chosen
and thus becomes more loved.
When the priests sacrificed to the Lord, it had to be a male without blemish
(Deu (5 Mos) 17:1, Lev (3 Mos) 22:17–22). The reason was that
the sacrificial animal was a foreshadow of Christ,
who was without sin when he was sacrificed on the cross,
and therefore the perfect sacrifice for our sins (1 Pet 1:19),
see The Crucifixion of Jesus.
But the priests no longer maintained this (Mal 1:7–8, 10, 12–14).
(Deu (5 Mos) 17:1, Lev (3 Mos) 22:17–22). The reason was that
the sacrificial animal was a foreshadow of Christ,
who was without sin when he was sacrificed on the cross,
and therefore the perfect sacrifice for our sins (1 Pet 1:19),
see The Crucifixion of Jesus.
But the priests no longer maintained this (Mal 1:7–8, 10, 12–14).
This Bible verse is a messianic prophesy about Jesus Christ:
"True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips.
He walked with me in peace and uprightness,
and he turned many from iniquity." (Mal 2:6).
"True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips.
He walked with me in peace and uprightness,
and he turned many from iniquity." (Mal 2:6).
The priesthood came from the tribe of Levi, see The High Priest in the Bible.
The covenant with Levi was a covenant of life and peace. (Mal 2:4–5).
The priesthood should be a foreshadow for the coming ever lasting High Priest,
Jesus Christ. But the priests had turned away from the right path
and through their teaching had caused many to stumble,
they had violated the covenant with Levi (Mal 2:7–9).
The covenant with Levi was a covenant of life and peace. (Mal 2:4–5).
The priesthood should be a foreshadow for the coming ever lasting High Priest,
Jesus Christ. But the priests had turned away from the right path
and through their teaching had caused many to stumble,
they had violated the covenant with Levi (Mal 2:7–9).
The priesthood represented God to the Jewish people and should know better. God confronts the priests to make them repent, to bring them back to correct behavior.
If they return to him, he would return to them (Mal 3:7).
If they return to him, he would return to them (Mal 3:7).
The priests should do the following:
- Have respect for God (Mal 1:6, 9, 2:5, 3:16–18).
- Know and rightly handle the Word of God (Mal 2:6a, 7).
- Live a life that glorifies God (Mal 2:6b).
- Help others to walk with God (Mal 2:6c).
- Should show no partiality (Mal 2:9, James 2:9, Luk 20:21, 1 Tim 5:21,
Proverbs 24:23, 28:21, Deu (5 Mos) 1:17a, 10:17b, 16:19a,
Lev (3 Mos) 19:15b, 2 Chron 19:7b, Job 13:8–10, 32:21, 34:19a).
There is a responsibility to judge fairly and not give special preference to favoritism, something that happens all the time. "How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain
the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:2–4).
the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:2–4).
The Jews had started intermarrying with people from other nations around them
who were mostly pagan, and they had adopted their pagan belief system
(Mal 2:11–12). This was forbidden under the Mosaic Laws in the Old Covenant
(Deu (5 Mos) 7:3–6). God also confronts the Jews with the issue of divorce
and adultery (Mal 2:13–16, Gen (1 Mos) 2:24, Proverbs 2:16–17).
See also the Comment to the 7th commandment
in The Ten Commandments, which applies to the New Covenant (Mat 19:3–9).
who were mostly pagan, and they had adopted their pagan belief system
(Mal 2:11–12). This was forbidden under the Mosaic Laws in the Old Covenant
(Deu (5 Mos) 7:3–6). God also confronts the Jews with the issue of divorce
and adultery (Mal 2:13–16, Gen (1 Mos) 2:24, Proverbs 2:16–17).
See also the Comment to the 7th commandment
in The Ten Commandments, which applies to the New Covenant (Mat 19:3–9).
There were three tithes. Two tithes were annual and one every three years,
giving 23 percent per year (10+10+10/3=23), see this explained at
time 1:26–6:17 in the video: 100% Proof Tithing Is Not Biblical.
giving 23 percent per year (10+10+10/3=23), see this explained at
time 1:26–6:17 in the video: 100% Proof Tithing Is Not Biblical.
See this in detail explained in What are the Three Tithes in the Old Testament?
The priests robbed God by not giving the collected tithe to those who should
have it (Mal 3:8–10a, Nehemiah 10:36–39, 13:10–13). See this explained in
time 8:55–14:16 in the video: 100% Proof Tithing Is Not Biblical. God promised
to bless them if they did as intended (Mal 3:10b–12, Proverbs 3:9–10).
have it (Mal 3:8–10a, Nehemiah 10:36–39, 13:10–13). See this explained in
time 8:55–14:16 in the video: 100% Proof Tithing Is Not Biblical. God promised
to bless them if they did as intended (Mal 3:10b–12, Proverbs 3:9–10).
The Levites needed the Levitical tithe for their livelihood, as a reward for the service they performed in maintaining worship in the temple (Num (4 Mos) 18:21–24).
When the Levites received the tithe, they were to give
a tenth of the tithe to the Lord (Num (4 Mos) 18:26, Neh 10:38).
See Tithes to the Levites at the end of Moses; Part 12: The Aaronic Priesthood.
When the Levites received the tithe, they were to give
a tenth of the tithe to the Lord (Num (4 Mos) 18:26, Neh 10:38).
See Tithes to the Levites at the end of Moses; Part 12: The Aaronic Priesthood.
Tithing is part of the Mosaic Laws of the Old Covenant. As Christians we aren't under the Mosaic Laws. We are under the New Covenant described in the New Testament. The New Testament doesn't require believers to tithe. The principles of giving
in the New Covenant is described at the end of The Book of Corinthians.
See also the video: John Hagee Caught Twisting The Bible To Make Millions.
in the New Covenant is described at the end of The Book of Corinthians.
See also the video: John Hagee Caught Twisting The Bible To Make Millions.
God would send his messenger, who would prepare the way before him
(Mal 3:1a, Isaiah 40:3–4, Mat 3:1–3, 11:7–10, Mark 1:2–4, Luk 3:2b–6, 7:26–28,
John 1:19, 23). This was a prophesy about John the Baptist. He prepared
people's hearts to more easily receive the message from Jesus (Luk 7:29–30 (NIV)).
(Mal 3:1a, Isaiah 40:3–4, Mat 3:1–3, 11:7–10, Mark 1:2–4, Luk 3:2b–6, 7:26–28,
John 1:19, 23). This was a prophesy about John the Baptist. He prepared
people's hearts to more easily receive the message from Jesus (Luk 7:29–30 (NIV)).
John did this by preaching brokenness from pride and repentance,
see 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit and 2) Blessed are those who mourn
in The Sermon on the Mount.
see 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit and 2) Blessed are those who mourn
in The Sermon on the Mount.
The following events are related to the prophecies of Elijah's coming:
- (Mal 3:1a): The Lord predicts the coming of
"the messenger who will prepare the way before Messiah". - (Mat 11:10): Jesus quotes Malachi 3:1a to relate to John the Baptist.
- (Mal 4:5–6): The Lord predicts the return of Elijah
"before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes". - (Luke 1:17): An angel predicts that John the Baptist
will serve "in the spirit and power of Elijah". - (John 1:21): When John the Baptist is questioned, he denies that he is Elijah.
- (Mat 11:14, 17:10–13, Mark 9:11–13):
Jesus declared that it was John the Baptist who was
the coming Elijah, as a fulfillment of the prophesies of Elijah's return.
John the Baptist was in his personality and in his ministry a pattern after
the prophet Elijah: They used the same type of clothing (Mat 3:4, 2 Kings 1:8).
They were both familiar with living in the desert (Mat 3:1, Mark 1:4a, Luk 3:2b,
1 Kings 17:2–6). They both spoke to powerful people, to a king and his wife
(Mat 14:4, Mark 6:18, 1 Kings 19:1–2). They both fearlessly called Israel
to repentance (Mat 3:2, 5–6, Mark 1:4b, Luk 3:3, 1 Kings 18:21).
Both had bouts of depression (Mat 11:2–6, Luk 7:18–23, 1 Kings 19:4).
the prophet Elijah: They used the same type of clothing (Mat 3:4, 2 Kings 1:8).
They were both familiar with living in the desert (Mat 3:1, Mark 1:4a, Luk 3:2b,
1 Kings 17:2–6). They both spoke to powerful people, to a king and his wife
(Mat 14:4, Mark 6:18, 1 Kings 19:1–2). They both fearlessly called Israel
to repentance (Mat 3:2, 5–6, Mark 1:4b, Luk 3:3, 1 Kings 18:21).
Both had bouts of depression (Mat 11:2–6, Luk 7:18–23, 1 Kings 19:4).
There are two possible conclusions to Elijah's arrival:
- John the Baptist fulfills the prophesy of the coming of Elijah.
- John the Baptist partially fulfills the prophesy of Elijah's coming.
This prophecy is seen in connection with the judgment,
which will occur at the second coming of Messiah to Earth.
This means that God will bring Elijah, physically as a reborn Elijah,
to Earth during the Tribulation period, see The Two Witnesses.
This prophesy therefore has a dual fulfillment. There are several prophesies
in the Old Testament that share fulfillment. They have a near fulfillment
and a more distant fulfillment, see "The law of double reference"
described in Visions and Dreams by Prophet Daniel.
Conclusion #1 is based on the following:
- An angel of the Lord told Zacharias (John’s father) that John
would go before Jesus "in the spirit and power of Elijah",
not that he would be a reborn Elijah (see #4 above). - John denied that he was (a reborn) Elijah (see #5 above).
- Jesus declared John the Baptist to be the coming Elijah (see #6 above).
The term "Elijah" means here "in the spirit and power of Elijah",
it's a person like Elijah, not a reborn Elijah. - The words of Mal 4:5–6 (see #3 above) says nothing about the time between Elijah's return and the day of the Lord (when Jesus returns),
just that he will return before the day of the Lord.
Conclusion #2 is based on the following:
- The words of Mal 4:5–6 (see #3 above)
is interpreted to be near the day of the Lord. - John's denial of being Elijah is interpreted as Elijah coming yet again,
and this time physically as a reborn Elijah. - Jesus also said: "Elijah does come, and he will restore all things."
(Mat 17:11, Mark 9:12a) (to be compared with #6 above). - The law of double reference applies.
My personal opinion is that Conclusion #1 is the correct one.
The main reason is that I find it difficult to see that a dead person would
physically be reborn in such a way, to live his life on Earth a second time.
Malachi prophesies about the first coming of Messiah, when he creates
the New Covenant (Mal 3:1b, Jer 31:31–33, Heb 8:8–10, 9:15, Luk 22:20),
see Messiah's Ministry on Earth in The Prophecies of Isaiah.
the New Covenant (Mal 3:1b, Jer 31:31–33, Heb 8:8–10, 9:15, Luk 22:20),
see Messiah's Ministry on Earth in The Prophecies of Isaiah.
Malachi also prophesies about the second coming of Messiah to Earth,
when he will judge the people (Mal 3:2–5, 4:1–3),
see Messiah's Second Coming in The Prophecies of Isaiah.
when he will judge the people (Mal 3:2–5, 4:1–3),
see Messiah's Second Coming in The Prophecies of Isaiah.
See also The Prophet Books in the Old Testament.
