The Book of Malachi

Sincere Worship

Urged on by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the Jewish community that had been repatriated from Babylon had rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem and had returned to a quasi-normal existence toward the end of the sixth century. But by about fifty years later, the burden of daily life had made itself felt once again: the great summons of Haggai and Zechariah were now in the distant past, and carelessness soon crept in: people skimped on the offerings and tithes, they married foreign women, they divorced. Religion seemed to have become a more or less respected formality; it was no longer a vital force.

A new prophet arose; perhaps he remains anonymous, since the name Malachi can also mean simply, “My messenger.”

Malachi attacks abuses rather sternly, and, in the spirit of Deuteronomy, calls for fidelity to the covenant. Mere submission to a cold set of laws is meaningless; instead, people must respond to a God who loves them and demands of them an attitude of respect and love. The Lord has no use for a hurried worship in which the heart is not engaged; he takes the side, instead, of all who are the victims of selfishness and violence.

In a few years’ time, the reformers Ezra and Nehemiah will try to translate into institutional form the very energetic message of Malachi.

Malachi’s tone recalls that of the pre-Exilic prophets: no visions, just direct language. In his Book we have six segments, all constructed on the same pattern: the prophet makes a statement; the hearers wonder at it and question him; he answers by developing his thought and especially by emphasizing its practical consequences. This was a wonderful way of making the listeners share in the lively preaching of a prophet in Jerusalem, perhaps in the temple, after the Exile. In all likelihood, it was an editor who added the title, the final exhortation (3:22), and the subsequent statement about the return of Elijah (3:23-24).

Malachi’s rebukes and appeals are still a stimulus for today’s readers to overcome the temptation of Pharisaism, that is, of a religion cut off from everyday life, or, in the case of priests, to reflect on the seriousness of their ministry.

Malachi goes even further: new perspectives and new demands lead directly toward the new covenant. There is the announcement of a mysterious precursor of God (3:1) and, above all, of a perfect offering; Christian readers see this last already fulfilled.

The emphasis on marriage as indissoluble, in accordance with the original intention of God, likewise, anticipates the demands made by Jesus (see Mk 10:1-12).

The Book of Malachi may be divided as follows:

I: The Lord’s Love for Israel (1:2-5)

II: The Blemished Offerings and Other Faults of Priests (1:6-14)

III: You Have Made Many People Stumble (2:1-9)

IV: Profaned Marriage (2:10-16)

V: God Will Come and Do Justice (2:17—3:5)

VI: Make the Tithe Offering to the Lord (3:6-12)

VII: The Just Will Have Their Revenge (3:13-21)

VIII: Final Exhortation and Promise (3:22-24)