described in the prophecy best answer to that time.WRITER.
Nothing is known of the prophet's life except what is found in his book. He was
probably a contemporary of Nehemiah; the conditions
described in the prophecy best answer to that time.
STYLE,
Forceful and Peculiar. Jehovah is represented as having a dialogue with his
people. "Ye Say" is contrasted with "Thus saith Jehovah of
hosts" through the first three chapters.
THEME,
A graphic picture of the closing period of Old Testament history, showing that
great reforms were needed to prepare the way for the coming Messiah.
KEY TEXT
Mal
3.8
SYNOPSIS
I. DARK SIDE OF THE PICTURE.
The sins of a dishonest, ungrateful people, and an unfaithful priesthood.
(1) Robbing
God.
(a) By failure
to respond to Divine Love
Mal
1:2
(b) By
dishonouring God's Name
Mal
1:6
(c) By
presenting blemished offerings
Mal
1:7,8,13,14
(d) The
priests, by evil example, becoming stumbling-blocks, instead
of spiritual
leaders
Mal
2:1-8
(e) By
honouring sinners
Mal
2:17 3:15
(f) By
selfishly withholding tithes
Mal
3:8
(g) By
justifying impiety
Mal
3:14
(2) Social
Sins
(a)
Treacherous dealing with brethren
Mal
2:10
(b)
Inter-marriage with the heathen
Mal
2:11
(c) Divorcing
wives
Mal
2:14-16
(d) Sorcery,
impurity, oppression
Mal
3:5
II. THE LIGHT SIDE OF THE
PICTURE
Glorious
Promises
(1) Of the
coming of the Messenger of the Covenant
Mal
3:1-4
(2) Of the
outpouring of a Great Blessing
Mal
3:10-12
(3) Of the saints becoming Jehovah's peculiar Treasure
Mal
3:16-18
(4) Of the dawning of a New Day in which righteousness shall
triumph
Mal
4:2,3
(5) Of the
appearance of a Spiritual Reformer before the Day of
the Lord is
ushered in
Mal
4:5,6
CHOICE SELECTIONS
Ch. 3. The
Purifying Messenger of the Covenant
Mal
3:1-4
Ch. 3. The
Cataract of Blessing
Mal
3:10
Ch. 3. God's
Jewels
Mal
3:16,17
(Outline from Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible)