Malachi’s concept of a <i>Torah</i>-compliant community (Ml 3:22 [MT]) and its associated implications
Keywords
Old Testament ExegesisMalachi
Prophets
prophetic literature
Torah
The Bible
BS1-2970
Practical Theology
BV1-5099
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This article focuses on Malachi’s distinctive claims that guarantee a well-ordered community, namely the validity and feasibility of a <em>Torah</em>-compliant community. Since <em>Torah</em> compliance is a fundamental core of Israel’s life, in the book of Malachi, Yahweh’s <em>Torah</em> functions as the reliable and invariable authority for the community well-being as a whole. Community well-being as pictured by Malachi is created not only by Yahweh but also as the consequent contemplation and action of community. Malachi notes clearly that it is the sins of the community as a whole that renders it inconceivable that Yahweh’s blessings should attend to them as they are now, and Malachi demands certain definite and substantial actions as preconditions to the manifestation of the desired expectations. To him the secret of creating and maintaining a healthy, viable community and living as people in covenant relationship with Yahweh, is by ‘remembering’ (upholding and practicing) Yahweh’s <em>Torah</em>. Accordingly, Malachi enjoined his audience to remember the <em> Torah</em> of Moses, which constitutes the fundamental dimensions of their relationship with Yahweh. This article is thus an attempt to understand Malachi’s concept of a <em>Torah</em>-compliant community and its associated blessings of happiness and shalom.Date
2015-03-01Type
ArticleIdentifier
oai:doaj.org/article:15931f260c47402b99ac5d750f0a076b0259-9422
2072-8050
10.4102/hts.v71i3.2990
https://doaj.org/article/15931f260c47402b99ac5d750f0a076b