The Two Testaments Malachi
16 snips
Apr 29, 2024 Dr. Julia O'Brien from Lancaster Theological Seminary discusses the book of Malachi, covering themes like corrupt priesthood, gendered language translation, disputes structure, and God's love for Israel. They explore marriage as a metaphor, the sacrificial system, and the significance of tithing. The podcast also touches on the tradition of Eijah's return, the messenger of God, and interpreting passages about divorce and idolatry. The conversation extends to the impact of climate change literature through the lens of Kly-Fi.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How O'Brien Entered Prophetic Studies
- Julia O'Brien described her path into prophetic studies: a graduate seminar on the Persian period led her to Malachi and then to broader prophetic work.
- Her first book on Malachi (1990) was the scholarly entry that expanded into a career on the prophets.
Malachi Is Likely A Title, Not A Person
- We know almost nothing about Malachi the person; the Hebrew name means "my messenger" and may be a title rather than an author name.
- Dating the book relies on internal clues (Edom's destruction, mention of a governor) that point plausibly to the Persian period.
The Book's Distinctly Argumentative Tone
- Malachi's dominant tone is argumentative and frustrated, framing dialogues where God speaks, the people doubt, and God rebuts them.
- The audience is portrayed as apathetic and depressed, doubting God's power, care, and justice.