BGCT: DSM: Old Textament Text: Lecture 37

Index/Table of Contents
Old Testament and New Testament
Credits and Copyright

PROPHETICAL BOOKS

LECTURE 37

HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, MALACHI

Students will be able to

1. understand and describe the setting of these books.

2. identify the major theme(s) of each book

OUTLINE OF LECTURE

Introduction: In 538 B.C., Cyrus the Great of Persia issued a decree allowing the exiles to return to their homeland and begin reconstruction of the temple. That project was interrupted by various delays, including the opposition of racially mixed neighbors (probably Samaritans). Haggai's four messages were dated during the second year of Darius I (Haggai 1:1), ca. 520 B.C. Zechariah began to speak a few months later.

Is it surprising that people who had begun a worthwhile project lost interest when they met difficulty? Why do some people give up while others facing the same challenges become more determined and committed?

Haggai's main concern was the reconstruction of the Temple. The Jewish people had begun to resettle Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon and were spending more effort on their own dwellings than on God's House. They were beginning to show their distressing tendency of limited commitment. Haggai encouraged his people to follow God and trust again in His faithfulness.

Zechariah was also concerned with the spiritual indifference of the people of Jerusalem. Through a series of visions God revealed to him His displeasure with the sinfulness of His people, as well as His desire to bless them if they would obey Him. Zechariah also prophesied the coming of the Messiah and that all nations that chose to follow God would be accepted into His kingdom.

Malachi was called by God to challenge the spiritual decay found in post-exilic Jerusalem. Through a series of questions and answers he attacks and exposes the sins of the people and the priests. Through their actions they have dishonored God and brought judgment on themselves yet if they repent, God will be merciful.

OUTLINE OF POST EXILE PROPHETS

I. Haggai

A. Message I: Haggai's challenge to covenant renewal

1. The call to rebuild the temple (1:111) (DQ#1)

2. The remnant responds (1:1215)

B. Message II: The promise of restoration (2: 19)

Although the reconstructed temple of Haggai's day may have seemed insignificant when compared to the sanctuary built by Solomon, God promised it would become a treasury of all nations (2:69).

C. Message III: The call to holiness (2:1019)

D. Message IV: Zerubbabel (2:2023)

1. Davidic servant

The Zerubbabel of this passage was not identified as the Governor who was Haggai's contemporary. This Zerubbabel was to be God's servant, a favorite title given to the Messiah by Isaiah (Is. 53:11). Matthew 1:1213 listed Zerubbabel as an ancestor of Christ.

2. "Signet Ring" (2:23)

The identification of Zerubbabel with the signet ring indicated he would represent authority: apparently he was to become the resumption of the Messianic line interrupted by the exile.

II. Zechariah

A. Call to repentance (1:16)

B. Visions (1:76:15)

1. The first vision (1:817) reassured the people of Jerusalem that God's compassion for them had been restored (1:1517).

2. The second vision indicated that the world powers (four horns) would be scattered by God's agents (1:1821).

3. In the third vision (2:113), a surveyor was marking the boundaries of Jerusalem, making preparation for expansion and restoration. God sent the message that the future growth of the city would eliminate the possibility of walls. God alone would provide her protection (2:5).

4. The fourth vision (3:110) symbolized the purification of the priesthood which Joshua represented (Haggai 1:1). The accuser, Satan, (literally, "the Adversary"), was rebuked (3:2), apparently for bringing charges against someone God had chosen to forgive and restore.

5. The fifth vision (4:114) spoke of the gold lampstand (perhaps referring to the unified witness of the restored Jewish community) and two olive trees (Zerubbabel and Joshua, the anointed leaders). This vision affirmed and encouraged Zerubbabel and Joshua in the task of rebuilding the temple.

6. The vision of the flying scroll (5:14) condemned those who had broken God's law.

7. The seventh vision (5:511) utilized the image of a woman (representing evil) carried away to Babylon in a large basket as a parable indicating that God was removing wickedness from Israel.

8. With apocalyptic imagery, the eighth vision (6:18) insured "rest in the north" or victory over all enemies.

C. Messages (78)

1. In response to the inquiry about the practice of fasting, Zechariah reminded the people of their ritualism and appealed for kindness and mercy (7:114). (DQ#2)

2. The prophet insisted that God would do good to Jerusalem and Judah, encouraging the people to repent and demonstrate righteousness (8:123).

D. Oracles (914)

1. In Zechariah 9:911, the prophet made reference to a king who would come riding the colt of an ass. This reference was quoted at Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:5)

2. Zechariah 13:26 indicated that because of the danger of false prophets and idols, God Himself would eradicate them. This led to a belief that the prophetic age was over. Only with the future coming of one like Elijah would the prophetic voice be heard again (cf. Malachi 4:5). (TN#3 )

III. Malachi (TN 4 )

A. God's love for His people (1:15)

B. God's anger toward false worship (1:63:18)

1. False sacrifices (1:614)

2. False priests (2:19)

3. False covenants (2:1016) (DQ#5 )

4. God's day of judgment (2:173:5)

5. False giving (3:63:18) (DQ#6 )

C. God's Judgment and Mercy (4)

OUTLINE OF THE POSTEXILIC PROPHETS

1. Haggai

A. Message I: Haggai's challenge to covenant

1. The call to rebuild the temple (1:111)

2. The remnant responds (1:1215)

B. Message II: The promise of restoration (2:19)

C. Message III: The call to holiness (2:1019)

D. Message IV: Zerubbabel (2:2023)

II. Zechariah

A. Call to repentance (1:16)

B. Visions (1:76:15)

C. Messages (78)

D. Oracles (914)

III. Malachi

A. God's love for His people (1:15)

B. God's anger toward false worship (1:63:18)

1. False sacrifices (1:614)

2. False priests (2:12:9)

3. False covenants (2:1016)

4. God's day of judgment (2:173:5)

5. False giving (3:63:18)

C. God's judgment and mercy (4)

ASSIGNMENT

Read chapter on the minor prophets in assigned text such as Hill and Walton pages 357 to 430.

Discussion Question:

Discussion Question #1 What might a prophet such as Haggai find offensive in contemporary America?

Discussion Question #2 As in the time of Zechariah (7:1112), the prophetic message today is often viewed with skepticism. What are some contributing factors?

Discussion Question#5 If America is a nation which follows the JudeoChristian ethic, how has divorce become so widespread?

Discussion Question#6 What was the problem with giving during Malachi's day? Should the tithe (giving a tenth of income or crops) be seen as a guideline or requirement? When would tithes be unacceptable to God? (Note Luke 11:42)

Teacher's Notes :

A review of major events leading up to the writing of Haggai and Zechariah would be helpful.

#3: New Testament writers (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27) quoted Zechariah 13:7 to explain the disciples reaction to the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion.

#4: The presentation of Malachi is unique in utilizing the rhetorical questions. At least seven times the writer attributed questions to his audience (1:2, 6,7; 2:17; 3:7, 8:13), while also frequently posing questions to them (i.e., 1:6, 8, 9; 2:10,15; 3:2).

The format of 1:2 is typical:

a. Statement such as "I have loved you"

b. People's Objection/Question "How have you loved us?"

c. Prophet's Answer Zechariah 1:25

Credits and Copyright This online text book is provided by the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington Dallas, Texas 75246-1798 214.828.5100 Use the text to meet your academic needs. If you copy any part of this online text, please give credit to the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Any donations which you give will be used in the Division of Student Ministry Summer Missions Programs.