Like most of the Bible, the book of Malachi is addressed to the people of God, not to individuals. And if we are not careful this means we can sometimes misread what it is saying.

As Australian theologian and bible scholar Peter Adam writes in his commentary on Malachi; ‘Those of us who live in the Western world have been brainwashed into individualism. We think and feel as individuals, we regard individuals as the most important form of human life, we privilege individuals over communities, and so we read and preach the Bible as if it was addressed to individuals.’

Malachi is a prophetic sermon through which God ‘does business’ with his people as a whole. So if we read Malachi only asking ‘what does this mean for me?’ we will miss much of its message.

So as we go through Malachi this term at BAC together, we need to be also asking questions such as ‘what does this mean for us at Berwick Anglican Church?’ and ‘what does this mean for us in the wider church?’ and even ‘What does this mean for us as Australians?’. As we do this may God speak to us as his people.

Ben Soderlund

The book of Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament, and its message is a very relevant diagnostic told for assessing our spiritual health. As we journey through this little book over the next term, there is a lot to watch out for!

As biblical scholar A. E. Hill writes: ‘The prophet Malachi preached to a diverse audience. His sermons were directed to the disillusioned, the cynical, the callous, the dishonest, the apathetic, the doubting, the skeptical and the outright wicked in postexilic Judah. Yet, as a sensitive pastor, Malachi offered the ‘valentine’ of God’s love to a disheartened people. As a lofty theologian, he instructed the people in a basic doctrinal catechism, highlighting the nature of God as universal king, faithful suzerain and righteous judge. As Yahweh’s stern prophet, Malachi rebuked corrupt priests and warned of the coming day of God’s judgment. As spiritual guide, he exhorted his audience to a more sincere life of worship and challenged the people to live out the ethical standards of the Mosaic covenant. Most important, Malachi was Yahweh’s messenger and his essential message to Israel was profoundly simple: “‘I have always loved you,’ said the LORD” (Mal 1:2 NIV )’.

Malachi’s prophesy also sets the scene for the New Testament, pointing to the future coming of John the Baptist and Jesus; As God says in 3:1 ‘I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty’.

Ben Soderlund
Assistant Minister