Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: God's Restored People (Focus on the Bible | FB)

by John L. MacKay

Publisher:

Christian Focus

, 2003

Overview

For each section of the Bible, the Focus on the Bible Commentaries summarize the passage of Scripture, including the intentions of the authors, the historical and cultural environment, and the questions and issues raised by a particular passage. But most importantly, the Focus on the Bible Commentaries brings you into the heart of the Bible, by explaining Scripture in an accessible way that makes sense for daily Christian living.

The ministry of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi is a record of how God deals with people he has restored as they try to translate their basic loyalty to him into practical action. Restoring their temple and the physical trappings of their ravaged kingdom was not an end in itself. God was, and is, primarily interested in obedient minds and wills in people who have a heart for God.

What’s more, with the Logos edition, Scripture passages are linked to your favorite English translation for quick reference, or to your Greek and Hebrew texts for original-language study! That gives you quick access to the message of the Bible as you study it! You can also read the Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: God's Restored People along with your Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias, and the wealth of other Bible study tools in your digital library. This commentary will serve as a vital aid for sermon preparation, for personal and group Bible study, and for anyone looking to apply the text of Scripture to practical Christian life.

Key Features

• Chapter-by-chapter commentary
• Accessible and readable exposition
• Eminently useful for preaching, teaching, and both personal and group Bible study

Contents

Top Highlights

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ In their estimation there was nothing wrong with their conduct that they needed to repent of. They were not conscious of any guilt on their part. This in itself indicates the malaise from which they were suffering—they had no sense of sin.” (Page 328)

“In rejecting this, they were defying God and saying that they were no longer prepared to live as the covenant people.” (Page 335)

“But we must avoid too simple an approach whereby the first coming of Christ is equated with salvation and the second with judgment. Although we are told that ‘God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him’ (Jn. 3:17), yet Jesus also said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind’ (Jn. 9:39; see also Mt. 3:10–12; Lk. 2:34). There was begun a process of judgment and sifting at the first coming, which is consummated at the second. Whenever truth is revealed, those who do not believe stand condemned already (Jn. 3:18). This is continued in the ministry of the Spirit who throughout this age is convicting the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (Jn. 16:8–11).” (Page 321)

“They had married gentile women, but what was most significant was that these women had retained their own religion. They had not become converts to the Lord, but had brought their pagan beliefs and practices with them. Being ‘the daughter of a foreign god’ meant having an ethos opposed to that of the Lord.” (Page 308)

“Those who feared the Lord’ are those who displayed true reverence towards him, putting their trust in him. Such fear is of the essence of the Old Testament presentation of true religion. ‘And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?’ (Deut. 10:12–13).” (Page 337)

Endorsements

The term ‘minor prophets’ may suggest they are unimportant, which is anything but true. This exposition is really first-class. John Mackay focuses on the text’s meaning and the books’ New Testament fulfillment in Christ. While his Old Testament scholarship is very evident, he avoids technical language. Many of the study questions provide valuable projects for the reader.

—Geoffrey Grogan, Former Principal Emeritus, Glasgow Bible College

Professor Mackay has done it again! This is an excellent piece of work on three ‘minor’ prophets that are not well known in the church today. Mackay’s commentary is a must read for pastors and serious Bible students who want to become familiar with what these three prophets have to say to the church today... this is a fine work.

—John Currid, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

Product Details

• Title: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: God’s Restored People
• Author: John L. MacKay
• Series: Focus on the Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Print Publication Date: 2003
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 368
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. Zechariah › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Haggai › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Malachi › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781857920673, 1857920678
• Resource ID: LLS:FOBC37HAG
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-01-09T23:48:51Z

About John L. MacKay

John L. MacKay is internationally known as an Old Testament Scholar, and is in demand for church retreats where his skill in the practical exposition and application of doctrine are well respected. He is also the author of Haggai, Zechariah, & Malachi and Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah in the Focus on the Bible Commentary.