Malachi: Messenger of Rebuke And Renewal

by David M. Levy

Malachi: Messenger of Rebuke and Renewal is a treasure trove of practical truth. Its timeless message speaks to the human condition today. What-ever the need -- social, political, or religious -- you will find the answer in this verse-by-verse commentary, which gives much attention to the historical, cultural, literary, and grammatical background of the Jewish people. The author has presented a lucid, nontechnical exposition dealing with such contemporary issues as:
-- God's Love for His People
-- Compromise Within the Ministry
-- The Day of the Lord
-- The Second Coming of Christ

This volume gives a comprehensive chronology of Israel's prophetic history -- from the Babylonian captivity to the Millennial Kingdom.

124 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

Reviews

[Tom Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levy's book will never be mistaken for an academic tome but it does what it sets out to do - give us a decent overview from a conservative viewpoint of Malachi's message. He breaks it down into manageable chunks, throws in some historical context, and writes a simple interpretation and application. Not difficult to read at all, it does a good job of providing a reasonable explanation of the book.

[F · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good little book on a great little book of the Bible. Solid, sensible, scriptural with a strong Biblical worldview.

[RANGER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malachi: Messenger of Rebuke and Renewal is a well-written, handy little commentary on the Biblical book of Malachi, the last prophet in the Old Testament. Malachi is an important but overlooked book, called one of the "minor prophets" due to its shortness, not its relevance. In fact, I would argue that the Book of Malachi is one of if not THE most relevant prophets for the American Church in the 21st Century. Malachi was written to prepare God's people for their coming Messiah. And surely, the LORD is coming soon and the American Church needs to be confronted and convicted by the same truths that drove Malachi to put his prophecies into writing 400 years before Christ. David M. Levy is a Moody Bible Institute graduate and has been the leader of the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry since 1974. He has written a host of these easy to understand, short commentaries on the Bible. I first became aware of him when I read his book on the Tabernacle. His Malachi commentary is a worthy read for anyone who wants to see revival in the Church, to better understand the prophet Malachi and his times, or who simply needs a readable outline to follow for a Bible Study. I was inspired to write a couple sermons from this book. So, this is a highly recommended Bible Commentary. Please read it... and let God's Holy Spirit speak to you from its pages as He did for me. Blessings!

[Luke Watts · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was much to appreciate about this title and its approach to Malachi. The commentary and breakdown of structures and key themes were insightful and helpful. It lacked greatly in its eschatological approach unfortunately. While I fully agree there are aspects of Malachi’s message and prophecy that are to be fulfilled when Christ returns, the over-emphasis was not just distracting, but by the end, frustrating as it began to make absolute statements that portions were ALL about the second coming and completely dismissing any context the first Advent and Gospel accounts could have provided. I do not at all mind reading such excellent scholars who love God’s Word and church and long to teach with clarity. What I feel is very lacking (and sometimes therefore making for error in application or interpretation to begin with) is when dual fulfilment is (very nearly) completed dismissed.

[Troy Nevitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a conservative book theologically (good!)
Its dispensational (meh)
The things he focuses on seem to be from a desire to be faithful to the text, but the ways he approaches them seem to be less than adequate.

There is also a clear willingness to employ shame, for example, on the topics. These topics are relevant (in fact, extremely relevant) for today. God's love, our unfaithfulness, money, divorce. Cheerful giving feels contrasted against his belittling of the church as a whole for not giving enough to the church (people should give, of course. He takes it too far).

Malachi seems difficult, so I'm thankful to interact with one of the few resources I have on the topic, but I'd recommend checking others out.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview/summary of the book of Malachi. Aimed at Israel, but moral and spiritual aspects fit the Christian church as well. A warning against religion versus relationship with our Lord.