The MAJOR & MINOR Prophets - The 16 Writing Prophets Of The Hebrew Canon

1) The close agreement between Malachi and Nehemiah in dealing with abuses (behavior of the priests, neglect of temple service, nonpayment of tithes, desecration of the Sabbath and mixed marriages). 2) Malachi’s appeal to observe the Law of Moses (4:4) as in Nehemiah 8-10. 3) The condemnation of unworthy sacrifices. 4) People unfaithful in bringing tithes for the sanctuary and priests (whereas in the days of Ezra the government met temple expenses). 5) The presence of a foreign governor (temporary) unwilling to accept gifts (cf. Neh. 5:14) in 433; Nehemiah was absent from Jerusalem at the Persian court in 433. 6) This would also explain the concern about heathen marriages and other abuses that had broken out. “In view of all this, many scholars assign the prophetic ministry of Malachi after 433, probably in connection with Nehemiah’s reforms (Neh. 13:6ff).” 4 In Malachi’s time, about 100 years had passed, and much had taken place. The first remnant returned to Jerusalem from Babylon and built the foundations of the temple (536 B.C). Then under the prophetic urging of Haggai and Zechariah they finished the temple (520-516 B.C.). Sixty years later (457 B.C.) Ezra came to help establish the people, and still thirteen years later (444 B.C.) Nehemiah came and led the people in rebuilding the wall. The people were discouraged; the initial enthusiasm that had characterized the returned exiles had died out. Their rebuilt temple was smaller and less glorious than they had imagined, and the glorious visions and dreams of the prophets had not produced the “golden age” they longed for. After seventy years in Babylon, the Jews had become accustomed to a relaxed personalized religion with no temple attendance and an environment that gave no notice to a Sabbath. Restoration of Abraham’s faith, Moses’ Law, and David’s dynasty seemed far-removed, and the giving of your best animals for sacrifice seemed almost barbaric. Into this cold, hard atmosphere came the messenger of God with a quoted and fulfilled by Jesus Himself – AND, fill modern preachers with fire and determination as well. Hey! I’m talking about Malachi! As J. Barton Payne says of that special man, “He stands at the close of the OT period, as the last representative of divine prophecy before its reappearance in the preaching of John the Baptist.” 5 He was a great and important man, upholding the true prophetic tradition and foretelling the Messiah’s two coming appearances. Daniel’s first “Seven Weeks” – and Malachi When doing the chapter on Daniel, I once again marveled at the amazing “Seventy Weeks Prophecy” of Daniel 9. Through the years, I have taught the subject and been awed by the vast implications of the Angel Gabriel’s message. The prophecy, as you may remember, is divided into three segments: seven weeks, sixty-two weeks, and one week (each day prophetically representing one year). I have wondered, however, why the angel specified a break between the seven and the sixty-two. No reason is given, and I have not found an answer anywhere. While reading J. Sidlow Baxter’s commentary 4 Freeman, p. 348. 5 J. Barton Payne, Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy , p. 469. burning message for immediate change and a glorious renewed vision of a future kingdom that filled the earth. The situation needed more than diplomacy and ministerial niceties, it needed a sent man, a man who could be God’s mouthpiece and watchman without caving in to popular opinion. This man’s prophetic ministry would be written down, finding its august place among the prophetic books. It was to be a bridge from one era to another. His preaching would touch both the people of that time and be

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