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An Exegetical Commentary: Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

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Eugene Merrill locates the books of Zechariah and Haggai around 515 BC But the book of Malachi is not quite as easy to nail down. After an interesting discussion, Merrill concludes that the book was probably written between 480-470 BC, before the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah. This can be contended, especially by those who have dogmatic issues with Malachi being able to predict the future destruction of Edom (312 BC). But the contents of the book itself seems to fit a time prior to the arrival of Ezra.

Merrill notes that the central theological issues in the book are the temple cult, the covenant, the conduct and character of the priests and people, and the future.

In Malachi 2, Merrill handles the dodgy subject of how Malachi can flatly state that God hates divorce and yet 30 years later, Ezra commanded it. Merrill observes that Malachi was condemning divorce among the people of faith, while Ezra commanded the dissolution of pagan unions that were turning the people further away from the Lord. This is a one time, unique event in Israel's history because the future of the nation was at stake. They needed to avoid intermarriage, as Deuteronomy 7 says they should.

Merrill says that in Malachi 3:1, the messenger of the covenant is the same as "My messenger" in the first part of the verse. Most interpreters (myself included) disagree. The messenger of the covenant seems to be a parallel expression for "the Lord whom you seek."

Merrill argues nicely for the unity of Zechariah and the authenticity of Haggai.

This book is a little on the technical side. Hebrew words are references in Hebrew font, and there is significant discussion of textual as well as theological issues. But the commentary is so helpful and solid that I must recommend it for the pastor as well as the budding theological student.