The Book of Malachi is sometimes referred to as The Prophecy of Malachias. It is the last book of the 12 Minor Prophets. They were called "Minor" because of their relatively short sizes. The name "Malachi" means "Messenger" and is cognate with the term "malach" meaning angel. The Prophet Malachi was describing the situation in his own time by extrapolating from that to the End Times. The Book of Malachi is divided into three chapters in the Hebrew Bible and in the Greek Septuagint and four chapters in the Latin Vulgate. Most English Translations follow the Latin Vulgate in this and divide the book into 4 chapters. We have followed this example in our Brit-Am Commentary (BAC) for the sake of convenience.
Some Highlights of the Book of Malachi: Malachi speaks of future troubles and wars with Edom (Malachi 1:3, 4); If the religious leaders do not listen to God they will be punished (2:1-3). Levi represents Religious Jews many of whom are from Levi (2:4-7), or descendants of David from Judah. Our intellectuals have betrayed us (2:12).Unnecessary divorce is criticized. We need to be faithful to our ourselves and our families (2:14). The Almighty will send HIS "Messenger" (3:1) meaning the Messiah son of Joseph future head of the Ten Tribes. Malachi calls upon the Israelites to repent and return. In the future the Children of Israel will have it made known to them which Tribe each one of them belongs to (3:3). We need to do justice and help the unfortunate (3:5). By not giving tithes we have robbed God (3:8-9). We are called upon to test the Almighty and begin to tithe and we will see great returns from it (3:10). Through giving tithes our prosperity will recover and grow (3:11-12). The Pathway to Repentance involves giving tithes. The future appearance of Elijah and our redemption requires a recognition by Lost Israelites of their Hebrew Ancestry (4:6). If we do not recognize our Israelite Ancestry we may be endangered! (4:6).
[Malachi 1:1] THE BURDEN OF THE WORD OF THE LORD TO ISRAEL BY MALACHI.
[Malachi 1:2] I HAVE LOVED YOU, SAITH THE LORD. YET YE SAY, WHEREIN HAST THOU LOVED US? WAS NOT ESAU JACOB'S BROTHER? SAITH THE LORD: YET I LOVED JACOB,
[Malachi 1:3] AND I HATED ESAU, AND LAID HIS MOUNTAINS AND HIS HERITAGE WASTE FOR THE DRAGONS OF THE WILDERNESS.
[Malachi 1:4] WHEREAS EDOM SAITH, WE ARE IMPOVERISHED, BUT WE WILL RETURN AND BUILD THE DESOLATE PLACES; THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, THEY SHALL BUILD, BUT I WILL THROW DOWN; AND THEY SHALL CALL THEM, THE BORDER OF WICKEDNESS, AND, THE PEOPLE AGAINST WHOM THE LORD HATH INDIGNATION FOR EVER.
Malachi prophesied around the time of Ezra (500s BCE) after the Jews had returned from Babylon and began to rebuild the Temple. Malachi was a member of the Great Assembly. This consisted of 120 members.Its members included both Prophets and Sages. Examples of Prophets who were members include Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, Mordechai and Zerubbabel.
Malachi prophesies in light of, and according to, what was happening in his own time. Nevertheless, like all other Prophecies that were recorded what Malachi says was also a prediction for the future. Edom may represent Germany and/or the Roman Europe, or some other power. Edomites, according to Rabbinical tradition and historical indications became ruling elements in many nations. A segment of Edom (the "Idumu") was also present in Ancient Japan. Japanese atrocities and ambitions in the Second World War should not be forgotten. Today Japan is a major producer and consumer of anti-Semitic literature.
A leading element from Edom became the Shang rulers of Ancient China and in effect the founders of China as it is known to history. Some Rabbinical Commentators equate Edom in the End Times as being another facet of Gog and Magog. [Brit-Am understands that the two are connected but that the wars with Edom will precede those with Gog and Magog]. Nowadays, the Japanese and Germans (both of whom are partly Edomite) provide economic support and technical assistance for the Palestinians. The ideology of the Palestinians boils down to a wish to exterminate the Jews because they are Jewish. Anyone who supports the Palestinians countenances the destruction of Israel and attempted extermination of the Jewish people.
[Malachi 1:5] AND YOUR EYES SHALL SEE, AND YE SHALL SAY, THE LORD WILL BE MAGNIFIED FROM THE BORDER OF ISRAEL.
The borders of Israel will expand. Despite our sins, God has been with us on the whole until now. The Jewish people in Israel does not lack virtues. Despite everything there is a lot of good in them. Perhaps the Almighty will continue to protect us and help us despite ourselves? There were long periods of time during which miracles were happening for us, here in israel, on a daily basis. The Arabs saw this and were afraid since they felt that God was still with us. Perhaps He still is? If I was an Arab I would not be in a hurry to find out. [Malachi 1:6] A SON HONOURETH HIS FATHER, AND A SERVANT HIS MASTER: IF THEN I BE A FATHER, WHERE IS MINE HONOUR? AND IF I BE A MASTER, WHERE IS MY FEAR? SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS UNTO YOU, O PRIESTS, THAT DESPISE MY NAME. AND YE SAY, WHEREIN HAVE WE DESPISED THY NAME?
[Malachi 1:7] YE OFFER POLLUTED BREAD UPON MINE ALTAR; AND YE SAY, WHEREIN HAVE WE POLLUTED THEE? IN THAT YE SAY, THE TABLE OF THE LORD IS CONTEMPTIBLE.
[Malachi 1:8] AND IF YE OFFER THE BLIND FOR SACRIFICE, IS IT NOT EVIL? AND IF YE OFFER THE LAME AND SICK, IS IT NOT EVIL? OFFER IT NOW UNTO THY GOVERNOR; WILL HE BE PLEASED WITH THEE, OR ACCEPT THY PERSON? SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS.
This can be interpreted in many ways. It may be a rebuke against us for not hurrying up to build the Temple. We have instead deluded ourselves that other forms of sacrifice are equally acceptable. This is 'polluted bread upon mine altar.' [Malachi 1:9] AND NOW, I PRAY YOU, BESEECH GOD THAT HE WILL BE GRACIOUS UNTO US: THIS HATH BEEN BY YOUR MEANS: WILL HE REGARD YOUR PERSONS? SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS.
[Malachi 1:10] WHO IS THERE EVEN AMONG YOU THAT WOULD SHUT THE DOORS FOR NOUGHT? NEITHER DO YE KINDLE FIRE ON MINE ALTAR FOR NOUGHT. I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN YOU, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, NEITHER WILL I ACCEPT AN OFFERING AT YOUR HAND.
[Malachi 1:11] FOR FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN EVEN UNTO THE GOING DOWN OF THE SAME MY NAME SHALL BE GREAT AMONG THE GENTILES; AND IN EVERY PLACE INCENSE SHALL BE OFFERED UNTO MY NAME, AND A PURE OFFERING: FOR MY NAME SHALL BE GREAT AMONG THE HEATHEN, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS.
[Malachi 1:12] BUT YE HAVE PROFANED IT, IN THAT YE SAY, THE TABLE OF THE LORD IS POLLUTED; AND THE FRUIT THEREOF, EVEN HIS MEAT, IS CONTEMPTIBLE.
The Jews and Israelites are condemned for not worshipping the Almighty with sufficient zeal. We have not attempted to rebuild the Temple and re-institute the Temple Service. We have said that there are too many problems associated with purity. We also allow the descendants of Ishmael to pollute the Temple Mount by building profane structures such as schools and public toilets, by trampling it down, digging it up, and by using it as a center to spread Nazi-type anti-Jewish hate propaganda. This is not easy to prevent in view of the international situation and the Jewish self-destructing urge to placate the Arab. True, there are problems. Easier said than done. The same applies to the Bible in general. Nevertheless the Almighty wants us to do the best with what we have. We can all improve ourselves to some degree. A little at the beginning can often produce great results.
[Malachi 1:13] YE SAID ALSO, BEHOLD, WHAT A WEARINESS IS IT! AND YE HAVE SNUFFED AT IT, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS; AND YE BROUGHT THAT WHICH WAS TORN, AND THE LAME, AND THE SICK; THUS YE BROUGHT AN OFFERING: SHOULD I ACCEPT THIS OF YOUR HAND? SAITH THE LORD.
[Malachi 1:14] BUT CURSED BE THE DECEIVER, WHICH HATH IN HIS FLOCK A [acceptable] MALE, AND VOWETH, AND SACRIFICETH UNTO THE LORD A CORRUPT SACRIFICE: FOR I AM A GREAT KING, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, AND MY NAME IS DREADFUL AMONG THE HEATHEN.
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