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Malachi

Malachi picks up many of the earlier prophets' themes about dishonouring God and urges the priests to do something about it. It foretells a day when God will come and judge his people for such sins. This, the last book of the Old Testament, thus paves the way for John the Baptist to preach repentance before the coming of the Messiah.

Commentary

2:6–7

This implies that turning people away from sin is the work of a priest. It is also the role of John the Baptist. We know that John was not a Levite because he was related to Jesus, who was descended from David. In a sense therefore John was the start of a non-Levite priesthood, which was perfected in Jesus.

2:13–17

See comment on Mark 10:8.

2:16

See comment on Deuteronomy 24:1.

3:1

cf. Isaiah 40:3, Mark 1:2–3. See Appendix 2 Repent. The idea of suddenness and cleansing is reminiscent of Mark's Gospel.

3:5

See comment on Matthew 3:2.

3:16

This book is the Lamb's Book of Life, listing those who Jesus will honour before the Father, as described in Matthew 10:32. It appears frequently in Revelation, e.g. Revelation 20:15.

4:1

See comments on Matthew 11:14, Matthew 17:10–12.

4:4

This verse is an exception to the tendency of the prophets (e.g. Micah 6:7–8) to promote righteousness independently of the Law.

4:5

See comments on Matthew 11:14, Matthew 17:10–12, John the Baptist.

4:6

Stubble: cf. Wisdom 3:7.

References:

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© David Billin 2002–2023