Haggai & Malachi
by Michael WittmerOverview
Haggai appears in 520 BC, nearly 20 years after the first Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem and begun rebuilding the temple. Haggai teams with Zechariah to encourage the remnant to obey God and finish the job, overcoming both external threats and internal despair. Haggai delivers four prophecies that alternate between God’s commands and promises.
The Structure of Haggai
1:1–15
Command: Build the temple for blessing
2:1–9
Promise: This temple will be glorious
2:10–19
Command: Build the temple for holiness and blessing
2:20–23
Promise: David’s Messianic line will be established
Malachi prophesies about 80 years later, most likely between 450 and 430 BC. He is a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah, and with them urges Judah to return to their covenant relationship with God. The finished temple did not deliver the glory that Haggai had promised, and the disillusioned nation doubted God’s love and offered half-hearted, cynical worship.
Malachi asks a series of questions that exposes their unfaithfulness, assures them of God’s love, and calls them to renew their covenant with God.
The Structure of Malachi
1:2–5
First Disputation: God’s covenantal love in election
1:6–2:9
Second Disputation: Breaking covenant through blemished sacrifices
2:10–16
Third Disputation: Breaking covenant through divorce
2:17–3:5
Fourth Disputation: Breaking covenant through injustice
3:6–12
Fifth Disputation: Breaking covenant by withholding tithes
3:13–4:3
Sixth Disputation: God’s covenantal love in judgment
4:4–6
Conclusion
