| dc.description.abstract | Historically the book of Malachi has not been at
the center of scholarly study and discussion. Compared to
other books of the Bible, only few studies have been done
on Malachi. Most of these generally focus on historical-
critical considerations of the book, the social situation
of the Jews in postexilic times, the relationshlp between
Malachi, Haggai and Zechariah, or the literary structure of
the book. Nevertheless, a study of blesslngs and curses in
the book of Malachi has not been done. Furthermore, the
relationship between Malachi's blessings and curses and the
covenantal blessings and curses of Deuteronomy 27-30, and
how this relationship affects the overall message of
Malachi, has not been fully explored.
The purpose of this study is multifaceted: (1) to
systematically explore the connections that exist between
Malachi and Deuteronomy, especially between the blessings
and curses of both books; (2) to analyze the way in which
Malachi uses the blessings and curses of Deut 21-30; and
(3) to discuss how being aware of the usage of blessings
and curses in the book of Malachi can broaden our under-
standing of the message of this book.
Several conclusions may be derived from the
flndings of this research. First, the book of Malachi
seems to be dellberately linked to Deuteronomy by way of
the use of blessings and curses that point retrospectively
to the covenantal blessings and curses of Deut 27-30.
Other relevant links between both books include the use of
common themes and lexical connections.
Second, Malachi strengthens its message and gives
urgency through the deliberate use of connections with
Deuteronomy, as weIl as other covenantal features employed
in the book. Malachi embraces the concept of covenant and
thus, delivers its message in a way that would strongly
appeal to the people of Israel. The book presents itself
as a call for covenant renewal.
Third, when significant and specific connections
between Malachi and Deuteronomy are identifled, and the
centrality of the concept of covenant in Malachi is
evidenced, this must change the way in which Malachi's
messages are perceived. The book ought to be analyzed in
the context of the covenant relationship between God and
His people. In this way, aIl the requests, accusations,
arguments, curses, and promises that could otherwise be
categorlzed as legalistically driven, may be recognized as
indicators of the people's fidelity or lack thereof , and of
the quality of their relationship with their suzerain, the
Great King, Yahweh.
The book of Malachi, as perceived in this
investigation, constitutes a last call and ultimatum from
the Divine suzerain to His unfaithful people by which
Israel can either return to God and enjoy covenantal
blessings, or choose to remain distant from God and be
utterly destroyed. | en_US |
