h2 A1 1:1-5. National Election.
A2 1:6-4:6. National Rejection.
Malachi is on of the 6 undated Minor [or Shorter] Prophets. His book shows that the Temple-worship with its sacrifices, &c., had been fully restored; but the ceremonial formalism and hypocrisy, which cuminated in the days of our Lord's ministry, are seen actively at work.
No sooner were the restraining influences of Ezra and Nehemiah removed, than the corruption began; and went on apace, as evidenced by Mal. 1:7,8; 3:8, &c.
From the "Restoration" and the 1st Passover to the birth of Messiah was exactly 400 years, the last great period of Probation [40 x 10]. It was the great testing-time given to the Nation in the Land.
If we take the date of Malachi as being 400 years before the anointing of Messiah and the commencement of His ministry [26:1.D], then we have, reckoning back from 26 A.D., the year 374 B.C. This gives 30 years from the Restoration to the condition of the Nation described in this prophecy, and 29 clear years from Ezra's last date [1st Nisan, 403 B.C.]: a period amply sufficient for the terrible declension of which Malachi speaks. Milner, in his valuable Church History, remarks that great reformation seldom seem to last in their purity more that 30 years.
If this be so, then Malachi may be dated about 374 B.C., 30 years after the commencement of the Temple-worship, which marked the beginning of the 400 years till the birth of The Messenger [John the Baptist], and of The Messiah.
A1 A1 1,2-. Words of Yahaveh to Israel: of His love.
B1 -2-. Israel's answer.
A2 -2,3. Words of Yahaveh to Israel: of His love.
B2 4-. Edom's answer.
A3 -4,5. Words of Yahaveh to Israel: of His love.
Malachi = My messenger, messenger of the Lord. Addresses the return of Messiah. See Zech. 9:9,10. Prophet's oracle that is still prevalent today. The blind leading the blind.
374 B.C.
Malachi 1)
1 The burden (see Isa. 13:1; and cp. Zech. 9:1; 12:1,&c.) of the word of the LORD (Yahaveh) to Israel (10 northern tribes) by Malachi. (= My messenger, relating to the 5 messages in this book. (1) Malachi himself [1:1]; (2) the true Priest [2:7]; (3) John the Baptist [3:1-]; (4) the Messiah Himself [3:-1-3]; (5) Elijah [4:5]. This last prophecy introduces the great fulfillment of Yahaveh's prophecy to Moses, the 1st prophet to Israel, in Deut. 18:15-19. Cp. Acts 3:18-26; 7:37.)
2 "I have loved you (ref. Deut. 7:8; 10:15; 33:3), says the LORD.
Yet you say, 'Wherein have You loved us?'
Was not Esau Jacob's brother? has said the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, (See Gen. 25-27.)
3 And I hated Esau, (quoted in Rom. 9:13) and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the jackals of the wilderness. (Cp. Isa. 13:22; 34:13. Jer. 9:13; 10:22; 49:33; 51:37. Look at Russia today.)
4 Whereas Edom (the red nation) says, 'We are impoverished (or beaten down), but we will return and build the desolate places;' (Communism, the system, not the people necessarily.)
thus has said the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down (See Ezek. 39 & 39); and they shall call them, The border (or territory) of lawlessness (Iron Curtain, Berlin Wall, Atheists), and, The people against whom the LORD has indignation for ever.
5 And your eyes (house of Israel, v.1) shall see, and you shall say, 'The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.' (See Ezek. 39:3-6.)
A2 C 1:6-2:16. Israel's deeds reproved.
D 2:17. Israel's words reproved.
E 3:1-6. Yahaveh's Messenger. Purging all.
C 3:7-12. Israel's deeds reproved.
D 3:13-4:4. Israel's words reproved.
E 4:5,6. Yahaveh's Messenger. Restoring all.
C F1 1:6-14. Priests and People. Ceremonial. F2 2:1-16. Priests and People. Moral
F1 G H 6-10. Sinful offerings. Priests.
J 11. Yahaveh will yet be honored by a pure offering.
G H 12-14-. Sinful offerings. People.
J -14. Yahaveh will yet be great among the peoples.
6 A son honors his father (heritage, an appeal to opponents as having a common interest. Cp. Isa. 5:5. Luke 11:19. Acts 4:19. 1 Cor. 4:21; 10:15; 11:13,14. Gal. 4:21), and a servant his master: if then I be a Father, where is My honor? and if I be a Master, where is My fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, that despise My name (marked off for special emphasis. (1) the argument is based on natural reverence; (2) the breach is shown in the case of Israel [Isa. 41:8. Hos. 11:1; (3) the conclusion being that the priest were the guilty cause). And you say, 'Wherein have we despised Your name?' (They "play" church! Most people are not aware. They offer it Satan because of false "rapture". They don't know they are doing wrong, and He is disappointed. This is why they don't receive blessings.)
7 You bring near polluted bread upon My altar (not the best he has. Ref. Deut. 15:21); and you say, 'Wherein have we polluted You?' In that you say, 'The table of the LORD [it] is contemptible.'
8 And if you offer the blind (spiritually) for sacrifice (ref. Lev. 22:22. Deut. 15:21), is it not evil? and if you offer the lame and sick [saying], is it not evil? (God wants your love. 1 Cor. 5) offer it now to your governor; will he be pleased with you, or accept your person? says the LORD of hosts.
9 And now, I pray you, beseech GOD (El) that He will be gracious to us: this has come to pass at your hands (you brought this on yourself): will He accept your persons? says the LORD of hosts.
10 Who is there even among you (emphatic, i.e. you [priests]) that would shut the doors for nothing? neither do you kindle fire on My altar for nothing (most churches don't care about heritage). I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept a gift-offering at your hand.
11 For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same My name shall be great among the nations; and in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering: for My name shall be great among the nations (spiritually speaking, in the millennium), says the LORD of hosts.
12 But you have profaned it, in that you say, 'The table (i.e. altar) of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.' (If you teach migration of 10 northern tribes you will be mocked. God is not pleased with this world.)
13 You said also, Behold, what a weariness is it!' and you have puffed at My altar (i.e. complained by sniveling: i.e. pooh-poohed), says the LORD of hosts; and you brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick (they offered up spiritually dead as servants); thus you brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? says the LORD. (Ref. Lev. 22:20. No He does not!)
14 But cursed be the deceiver, which has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the LORD a corrupt thing: (False teaching.)
for I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and My name is respected among the nations.