Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi

Teacher: Rebecca Murdock

These often overlooked last three books of the Old Testament merit our attention for a number of reasons. Keep these in mind as you read this week:

HAGGAI: (honeymoon phase of returning to God)

• The joy of returning home after exile.
• How human it is to want to build our own empires first, instead of building the kingdom of God. 
• How quickly correction was accepted and applied, and the blessings that ensued. 
• Hope for the future of the covenant finally working the way it was supposed to. 
• Helpful dates included by Haggai.

ZECHARIAH: (hope for a better relationship with God)

• Haggai and Zechariah ministering around the same time period.
• Similar language and symbolism as that of Revelation, setting a tone.
• Weird imagery, but pointing toward the Messiah to come.
• Changing of high priest’s filthy clothes to that of a ruler - symbolic of God’s people if they obey Him.
• Hope for a new international kingdom and judgment on Israel’s enemies.
• A recommitment from God of what He will do if the Israelites are obedient. 

MALACHI: (the relationship begins to fall apart again)

• The Israelites are again doubting God’s love and interest in them, challenging God to prove it.
• God proves his love, but also asks “where is the honor due me?” challenging their half-hearted sacrifices.
• A conversation with the priests, using imagery from Leviticus and Deuteronomy, about what defilement looks like through injustice.
• A list of all the ways covenant has been broken. 
• Some mercy offered to a small remnant who has been faithful, but an overall frustrated God bookending a testament that started so beautifully in covenant marriage and now is ending in a bitter separation. 

Listen to the book of Haggai from BibleGateway: ESV, KJV, MSG, NIV, NKJV

Short Outline of the Book of Haggai from the English Standard Version:

• The command to rebuild the Temple (1:1-15)
• Messages of comfort and hope (2:1-13)

Listen to the book of Zechariah from BibleGateway: ESV, KJV, MSG, NIV, NKJV

Short Outline of the Book of Zechariah from the Today's English Version:

• Messages of warning and hope (1:1 – 8:23)
• Judgment on Israel’s neighbors (9:1-8)
• Future prosperity and peace (9:9 – 14:21)

Listen to the book of Malachi from BibleGateway: ESV, KJV, MSG, NIV, NKJV

Short Outline of the Book of Malachi from the Today's English Version:

• Israel’s sins (1:1 – 2:16)
• God’s judgment and his mercy (2:17 – 4:6)