The Deuteronomic roots of postexilic prophetic eschatology in Malachi

Bob Wielenga

doi:10.4102/ids.v55i1.2759

Abstract

In this article, the promises of judgement and restoration in Deuteronomy 4:25–31; 28:15–68; 30:1–10 are compared with the eschatological prophecies in Malachi 2:17–3:24 about the Day of the Lord. The conclusion is that Malachi’s eschatology can be understood against the background of the history of fulfilment of these promises as envisioned in the Torath Mosheh in Deuteronomy. The rhetorical nature of Moses’ speeches is taken into consideration, indicating their communicative intent to persuade the people to take the promise of judgement seriously and to return to God in compliance with Mosaic teachings in order to avert it. But even beyond judgement, restoration is promised as well, indicating the positive intent of judgement preaching. The purpose of the announcement of judgement is to delay its fulfilment; its irrevocability only shows when the response to the teachings of Moses is persistently negative. The promises of judgement are not meant to be understood as prognostications to be fulfilled within a predetermined time frame. They are delay-intended, and hence avertible. These features of Mosaic teaching in Deuteronomy can be identified in Malachi’s eschatology which is shaped by divine judgement but is delay-intended and in compliance with the Mosaic teachings in Deuteronomy, theocentric and temple-based. Contribution: The purpose of this article is to contribute towards a theological reading of Malachi in the context of the metanarrative of the Old Testament (OT) Scriptures.

Highlights

Firstly the research question is formulated; thereafter, attention will be paid to the hermeneutics of Deuteronomy employed in this research; this will lastly be followed by an outline of the article.Research questionIn this article, the question is investigated how the eschatological prophecies of Malachi (Ml) 2:17–3:24 could have been influenced by Deuteronomy (Dt) 4:25–31; 28:15–68 and 30:1–10.These Deuteronomic texts are usually understood as referring to the Babylonian exile of Israel and its return home afterwards (597–539 bce)
The detours and blockades during the journey did not and will not prevent Yahweh Tsebaōth from reaching his goal: his people being a blessing to the nations, attracting them to worship him. Malachi and his community must have been encouraged by the teachings of the Torath Mosheh to continue their journey with God
The Babylonian exile was not the conclusion of the history of divine judgement, but a calamitous halfway station during the journey, that they only could have passed by the grace of a compassionate God

Summary

Introduction

The question is investigated how the eschatological prophecies of Malachi (Ml) 2:17–3:24 could have been influenced by Deuteronomy (Dt) 4:25–31; 28:15–68 and 30:1–10. These Deuteronomic texts are usually understood as referring to the Babylonian exile of Israel and its return home afterwards (597–539 bce). In this investigation, the option is chosen to read them as referring to any divine-initiated future loss of land and to return to it afterwards in general. The Deuteronomic texts could be re-appropriated in the postexilic era in support of Malachi’s eschatological prophecies of the Day of the Lord

Objectives

Conclusion