The Prophecy.  The purpose of this prophecy was to rebuke the people for departing from the worship of the law of God, to call the people back to Jehovah and to revive their national spirit.  There are in it:  (1) Unsparing denunciations of social evils and of the people of Israel. (2) Severe rebukes for the indifference and hypocrisy of the priests. (3) Prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and the characteristics and manner of his coming. (4) Prophecies concerning the forerunner of the Messiah.

Analysis.

Introduction:  Jehovah’s love of Israel. 1:1-5.  This is seen in the contrast between Israeli and Egypt.

  I. Israel’s Lack of Love of God, 1:6-2:16.  It is proved.

   1.  By their polluted offerings, 1:6 end.

   2.  By the sins of the priests. 2:1-9.

   3.  By their heathen marriages and by their divorces, 2:10-16.

 II.  God Will Come and Judge His People, 2:17-4:6 end.

1.  His messenger will separate the righteous from the wicked, 2:17- 4:6.

2.  This is seen in the effect of their withholding or paying tithes. 3:7-12.

   3.  Faithful services will be rewarded. 3:13-4:6 end.

For Study and Discussion. (1) Make a list of the particular sins rebuked. (2) Make a list of all the different things said about the Messiah and his mission and also that of the forerunner. (3) Analyze and study each of the seven controversies. 1:2, 7; 2:13, 14, 17; 3:7, 8, 14. (4) Compare the future destinies of the righteous and wicked as revealed in this book, making a list of all that is said of each. (5) Make a list of all the promises of the book.

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Chapter XXIV.

Matthew.

Each Gospel was written with a view to creating a definite result and written to a particular people and they differ accordingly.  In this book, therefore, each Gospel is discussed with the hope of so outlining its purpose and consequent peculiarities as to stimulate a thorough study of the questions raised.

Date.  Written about 60 A. D., but after Mark.

The Author.  The Author always speaks of himself as “the publican,” which may indicate his sense of humility, felt in having been exalted from so low an estate to that of an apostle.  He was the son of Alpheus (Mar. 2:14; Lu. 5:27), and was called Levi until Jesus called him and gave him the name Matthew, which means “Gift of God.”  We know nothing of his work except his call and farewell feast (9:9-10), and that he was with the apostles on the day of Pentecost.  Thus silent and observant and qualified by former occupation, he could well undertake the writing of this book.  It might be possible that he was chosen by the others for this great task.  We know nothing of his death.  Characteristics and Purpose.