Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Greetings...

Historical Background Information

The author

Mal

There is really nothing we know concerning Malachi the person.

We know nothing of his hometown, family, or occupation, in fact, the name Malachi is only found in .

This has led many to suggest that Malachi, which means “my messenger” isn’t the prophets real name.

The Hebrew “my messenger” is only found three times in the Bible.

; ; and .

This, however, is without significant proof or really any proper verification.

First, a proper name always follows the statement “the word of the Lord came to.”

Extensive MSS and translation tradition supports “my messenger” being translated Malachi in .

Date

There is universal agreement that Malachi was written after the remnant returned from captivity because of the internal evidence, however we must look at other books of the Bible to narrow it down.

The use of the specific word “governor” in Malachi let us know it was written during Persian rule which is why everyone agrees this was written after the remnants return, keeping in mind Nehemiah did two different stints as governor of Judah (; ).

Internal evidence indicates that God was upset with the Israelites marrying of heathens which corresponds with what Nehemiah dealt with under his second term as governor (Nehemiah 13:32-31).

Mal

Another clue to the dating of the book resides in the fact that Malachi never mentions the rebuilding of the city walls, which took 52 days in 445 BC ().

All this seems to point to the book of Malachi being written around 432-425 BC.

Context

At the time of Malachi the Persians are still rulers of Israel and the world to some degree, which means the Jews had religious freedom.

This seems to be the problem because by the time God calls Malachi it has been over 100 years since Zerubbabel brought the first wave of Israelites back from captivity.

It has been almost 80 years since Haggai and Zechariah prophesied and about 13 years since Ezra brought the second wave of Jews.

Instead of getting better, spiritually, they seem to have gotten worse.

Maybe it was because the prophecies of Zechariah about the Messiah hadn’t come to fruition yet the people became apathetic to God and His Word.

The temple sacrifices were treated with contempt.

The people were not tithing diligently like they should have and were robbing God.

Mal

The priest were corrupt () which naturally led to a moral decay in the Israelites.

They were oppressing the poor () and divorce was rampant ().

Mal 2:13-16

Mal 2:

Summery

The people were struggling with apathy towards God and He uses Malachi to deliver a legal case against the people of Israel.

In fact the book is written as if a “legal case is being presented in a courtroom.”

Outline To The Book Of Malachi

Outline To The Book Of Malachi

First Dispute: God Loves Israel (1:2-5)

Second Dispute: God Rebukes the Unfaithful Priests (1:6-2:9)

Third Dispute: God Rebukes His Unfaithful People (2:10-16)

Fourth Dispute: God Is Just (2:17-3:5)

Fifth Dispute: God Calls the People to Repentance (3:6-12)

Sixth Dispute: God Rebukes the People for their Harsh Words (3:13-4:3)

Closing Exhortation (4:4-6)

Conclusion

God has never been satisfied with “just going through them motions” in our worship of Him.

God expects and deserves our all in our worship of Him.

Invitation