Lesson 27: Malachi and the Time Between
the Testaments
Malachi, the Lord’s last messenger of the Old Testament
Malachi
Malachi was the final prophet of the Old Testament, preaching God’s Word from about
440-430BC. Like many of the prophets, Malachi urged repentance and promised
forgiveness in the coming Savior. Also like the other prophets, he had a unique way of
doing it. Malachi spoke often of “The Day of the Lord,” and he used the phrase in a
couple of different ways. “The Day of Lord” referred to the coming of the Messiah, but
also the coming of God’s Judgment on those who refused to repent and believe –
especially on the Last Day.
In the final chapter of the Old Testament, Malachi 4, the prophet summarizes his
message on the Day of Lord – both the positive and the negative. Read the chapter and
answer the questions below.
1.
What will the “Day of the Lord” be like for the arrogant and the evildoer? Why?
2. On the other hand, what will it be like for the Lord’s faithful people?
3. Who is the “prophet Elijah” that Malachi promises? Before you answer, read verse 6
of this chapter and Luke 1:17.
The Time Between the Testaments
After Malachi finished his prophecies, the Lord sent no more writing prophets to the
nation of Israel for 450 years. But over this time, history did not stop.
The Persian Empire continued to control Judah until about 330BC. (Add “Persian Rule”
to your timeline over those years.) Generally speaking, the Persians allowed the people
of Judah to run their own affairs and worship in their own temple.
All that changed, though, with Alexander the Great. He conquered Judah (and most of
the rest of the world) in 330BC. The period of Greek rule that followed is usually called
the “Hellenistic Period.” (Add “Greek rule” to your timeline from 330-166BC.) Alexander
forced the Greek culture and language on all the lands he conquered, including Judah.
This is why Greek became the dominant language of the world, and why the New
Testament was eventually written in Greek. The Greek rulers after Alexander became
extremely cruel and oppressive. They humiliated the people of Judah and outlawed
worship in the temple.
By 166BC, the people in Judah could stand it no longer. They revolted against the
Greeks and regained their independence, which lasted until 63BC. This period of
Jewish independence is usually called the “Hasmonean Period.” (Add “Jewish
Independence” to your timeline from 166-63BC).
Jewish independence did not last, though. In 63BC the Roman Empire was on the rise,
and General Pompey swept through Judah (now called “Judea”) and made it a Roman
Province. Roman rule lasted until well after the start of the New Testament Age. (Add
“Roman rule” to your timeline from 63 until the end of the timeline.) The Romans set up
rulers, sometimes called “kings” in Judea to govern the land for them. King Herod was
one example of a Roman king, and Pontius Pilate was an example of a Roman
governor. They served Rome as they ruled over the Jews. The Jewish people strongly
resented the Romans’ rule of Judea, explaining why many people at Jesus’ time were
looking for a “Messiah” to overthrow the Roman government.
The top man of the Roman Empire was the emperor in Rome. One of the most
important Roman Emperors in history, Caesar Augustus, was in power in 4BC when he
“issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world…And
everyone went to his own town to register…” including a young man named Joseph and
his pregnant, virgin wife Mary, who carried in her womb the promises made to all the
heroes of the Old Testamet, the promises made throughout the poetry of the Old
Testament, and the promises made by all the prophets.
Christ the Savior, the fulfillment of all the hope and promises of the Old Testament, was
born in 4BC, marking the end of the Old Testament, and the beginning of the New
Testament.
To complete your timeline, add “the birth of Christ” in 4BC.
Explanation of Part 2: New Testament Study
Like the first section of this course, part two is also designed to take students deeper
into God’s Word – this time in the New Testament. Considerable thought and care was
put into the selection of which New Testament books to study in this course. It was
determined that the Gospels are covered throughout grades one through seven, and
again in eighth grade through other Bible curriculum. So instead of a thorough study of
a Gospel, Ephesians and the epistles of Peter were chosen.
Why these books? First, they are not thoroughly covered elsewhere in St. Paul Lutheran
School’s Bible curriculum. Second, they contain themes and messages that seem
especially appropriate for children in eighth grade, who are reaching a crossroads in
their lives. At this age and in the years to come, many young people struggle mightily
with the questions: “Is God really in control of my life? Does God really care about me?
Does he have a plan and purpose for me?” Ephesians answers those questions
emphatically and clearly at a time when these youths need to hear the right answers.
Peter’s epistles also strike a cord with the purpose of this curriculum because they
encourage active Christian service (one of the main goal’s of this course of study),
perseverance in suffering (which many young people who live out their faith will face),
the importance of growing in faith (another main emphasis of the course), and
encouragement to remain in God’s true grace while throwing off false teaching. For
these reasons, Ephesians and both of Peter’s letters seemed to fit well for this age
group and the direction of this course.
As in the Old Testament Study, the goal is to lead students to study God’s Word and
answer questions on their own. Because not as much background material is necessary
as in Part 1, each epistle begins with background, but from there to the end of the
epistle limited background is given.