Thomas Leishman, Bible student and Christian Scientist, who commented on the whole Bible in a series in The Christian Science Journal, is very helpful about the book of Malachi. (The series was called The Continuity of the Bible, with sub-heading, A series showing the progressive unfoldment of the Christ, Truth, throughout the Scriptures. A very valuable record.)
Malachi is a book that I have not made much of really, while appreciating a couple of verses as being helpful, namely:
“Bring your tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (3:10), and
“Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us?” (2:10 to 2nd ?). But, in the search for those verses, I find the prophesy about John the Baptist, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me...” (3:1 (to :)). (Emphases added. ed.)
Here are some excerpts from Leishman’s piece from the Journal of November 1939,
THE PROPHETS OF THE FIFTH CENTURY B.C.
"CHAPTERS 56 to 66 of the book of Isaiah appear to date from about 460 B.C.—some sixty years after Haggai and Zechariah. ...
"From the same period comes the anonymous volume now known as the book of Malachi, that is, of "my messenger"—this being the translation of the Hebrew word "malachi" found in Malachi 3:1.
"Like his contemporary, Third-Isaiah, Malachi lived in an age of skepticism, when men doubted the very existence of God, and felt it "vain to serve" Him (Mal. 2:17, 3:14). He reminds his apathetic countrymen of God's gracious love (1:2), pointing out that even the Gentiles honor God's name, while the Chosen People profane it (Mal. 1: 1 If, R.V.); yet the Israelites also will receive a blessing, if they will but give more freely (3:10).
"The prophet tells the
people as a whole that the gifts of light and of healing will follow the
exhibition of true reverence (4:2). So while Malachi commended obedience to the
law of Moses (4:4), he foresaw many of the characteristics of the gospel law of
love; and he also foretold the coming of the forerunner of the Messiah (Mal.
4:5; cf. Luke 1:17; Matt. 11:14)."
Joyce Voysey
Ed. How thrilling that there was a messenger to usher in John the Baptist's arrival. What does that mean for readers today?
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