Malachi Then and Now: An Expository Commentary Based on Detailed Exegetical Analysis

by Allen P. Ross

Publisher:

Lexham Press

, 2016

Overview

A rich and satisfying commentary on Malachi that unfolds its powerful message. Since Malachi deals with topics such as money, marriage, worship, and the love of God, contemporary Christians can learn much from this ancient book. In addition to commenting on the book of Malachi, this volume shows how to develop biblical expositions from a solid exegetical analysis of the text.

Praise for Malachi Then and Now

Professor Ross’s commentary on Malachi distinctively sets out to fulfill two purposes: to serve as a guide in the art of exegesis and interpretation for students of the Hebrew Bible, and to serve as a commentary on a book of the Old Testament for expository preachers. It accomplishes both tasks superbly. Whether one is looking for practical guidance in biblical hermeneutics or preparing to preach through Malachi, this commentary will be a valuable resource and guide.

—Duane Garrett, Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

I am not aware of any other work quite like this one. Professor Ross writes with two readers in mind: the Hebrew student and the Bible expositor. The result combines the best of a Hebrew class, sitting under a master tutor explaining the nuances of grammar and syntax and their relevance for understanding a text, with the best of a pastor’s conference, sitting under a seasoned expositor with a passion for the church and the modern-day relevance of this fairly obscure Old Testament book. In the process, Ross carefully explains how to go from one stage to the next, each step in the process building on the previous one. This is a rich resource and I highly recommend it.

—David M. Howard Jr., Professor of Old Testament, Bethel Seminary

Top Highlights

“The loving and hating was not personal, but sovereign and providential; it refers to the divine election of one group of people over another for a purpose. That is the nature of God’s love for his people.” (Pages 40–41)

“This message by Malachi falls into two parts, which are two accusations. The first part denounced the people for marrying women who were devotees of false gods. The second part revealed how the men who did this were causing grief and suffering by putting away their true wives, something that ruined worship completely. And so God declared through the prophet that he hated this practice.” (Page 104)

“All of this is still the pattern of effective spiritual leadership: demonstrate reverential fear of God, teach the word of God faithfully, live in obedience to it, and bring people to repentance and faith in the Lord.” (Page 88)

“Because Malachi’s audience was skeptical, he chose to use interrogation and reply as the way to get through to them.” (Page 5)

“The verb ‘to hate’ is the opposite of ‘to love’; it has the sense of reject, usually with strong feelings” (Page 35)

Contents

• Introduction
• God’s Faithful Covenant Love
• Worship That Dishonors God
• Teaching God’s Word Faithfully
• Profaning the Holy Covenant of Marriage
• God’s Justice and Faithfulness
• God’s Faithfulness to the Faithful
• Preparing for the Day of the Lord
• The Biblical and Theological Emphases of Malachi

Product Details

• Title: Malachi Then and Now: An Expository Commentary Based on Detailed Exegetical Analysis
• Author: Allen P. Ross
• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Publication Date: 2016
• Pages: 216
• Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
• Trim Size: 6x9
• ISBN: 9781683591429

About Allen P. Ross

Allen P. Ross is professor of divinity and Old Testament at Beeason Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. He has been teaching there since 2002. Ross is the author of Creation and Blessing and Introducing Biblical Hebrew, as well as commentaries on Psalms, Genesis, Exodus, and Proverbs.