Reflecting on the Book of Malachi

Calvary Baptist Church - DE

Reflecting on the Book of Malachi

August 11, 2024

The book of Malachi offers no clear pointer to the date of its composition. Nevertheless, most scholars agree that Malachi was probably a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah in the mid-fifth century B.C. This is supported by the implied existence of the temple (Mal. 1:10; 3:1, 8), which requires a date after its reconstruction c. 516 B.C.

The mention of the temple highlights Malachi’s focus on worship. Malachi’s contemporaries may have been free from blatant idolatry (though see Mal. 2:11) and relatively orthodox in their beliefs, but theirs had become a dead orthodoxy. They were all too ready to make ethical compromises and to dilute the strenuous demands of proper worship. In response to the cynicism and religious malaise of his contemporaries, Malachi’s prophecy comes as a wake-up call to renewed covenant fidelity.

Introduction adapted from the ESV® Study Bible

a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Accessed via

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/malachi-introduction/

Reflecting on the Book of Zechariah

August 4, 2024

Nearly 20 years after their return from the Babylonian exile in the time of Cyrus (538 B.C.), discouragement dogged God’s people, replacing their earlier enthusiasm. The foundation of the temple had been laid shortly after the initial return, in 536 B.C., but powerful opposition had prevented any further progress on rebuilding the temple. Zechariah addressed such discouragement by reminding his hearers that, though hidden, God’s envoys were watching everything, and that when the time was right, he would act to reorder the universe. The temple that was being rebuilt and the priesthood that would serve in it were signs of the Lord’s commitment to his people, a commitment that would be demonstrated by the ultimate removal of all their sin from the land. This would happen when the promised Davidic king, the Branch, arrived. The result would be peace, harmony, and prosperity for all the inhabitants of the land, as the Lord once more dwelt in their midst. The latter chapters of Zechariah also show that a new ruler will come to Jerusalem, a ruler who will not be like the existing rulers but will be righteous and humble, bringing salvation. In contrast to the shepherds who feed themselves at the expense of the flock, this good shepherd will take care of the flock and provide for them. He will cleanse them of all their iniquities. Jerusalem will be restored as God’s chosen city, to which the nations will come on pilgrimage.

The Book of Zephaniah

July 21, 2024

Reflecting on the Book of Habakkuk

July 14, 2024

Habakkuk is unusual as a prophetic book in that it never addresses the people of Judah directly but rather is a dialogue between the prophet and God. The first two chapters are organized around Habakkuk’s prayers and the Lord’s replies. Habakkuk sees the rapid progress of Judah’s moral and spiritual deterioration and this deeply troubles him. Yet God’s response puzzles him even more, for “how could a good and just God use a more wicked nation to punish a less wicked one?” God makes it clear that both nations are to be judged and appropriately punished for their evil acts. Although Habakkuk may not fully understand, he relies totally on the wisdom and justice of God to bring about the proper resolution in ways he could never have imagined. This God is certainly worthy of Habakkuk’s praise and worship, which is how the book ends.