ts have been said to contain: (1)
Encouragements to lead the people to repent and reform; (2)
Discussions about keeping up the days of fasting and humiliation
observed during the captivity; (3) Reflections of a moral and
spiritual nature; (4) Denunciations against some contemporary nations;
(5) Promises of the prosperity of God's people; (6) Various
predictions concerning Christ and his kingdom.

I. Eight Visions Encouraging the Rebuilding of the Temple, Chs. 1-6.
Introduction, 1:1-6.

1. The horseman among the myrtle trees, 1:7-17.

2. The four horns and four carpenters, 1:18-21.
3. The man with the measuring line, Ch. 2.

4. Joshua, the High Priest, and Satan, Ch. 3.

5. The Golden Candlestick, Ch. 4.

6. The Flying Roll 5:1-4.

7. The woman and ephah, 5:5-11 end.

8. The four war chariots, 6:1-8.

Appendix: Joshua crowned as a type of Christ, 6:9-15.

II. Requirement of the Law and the Restoration and Enlargement
of Israel, Chs. 7-8.

1. Obedience better than fasting. 7:1-7.

2. Disobedience the source of all their past misery, 7:8-14 end.

3. The restoration and enlargement which prefigure Christ "The
Jew," Ch.8.

III. Visions of the Messianic Kingdom. Chs. 9-14.

1. The Messianic King, Ch. 9-10.

2. The rejected Shepherd. Ch. 11,

3. The restored and penitent people, Chs. 12-13.

4. The divine sovereignty, Ch. 14.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The symbols and figures used in the
several visions. (2) The different ways of expressing or planning the
success of God's people and the overthrow of their enemies. (3) The
discussion of fasting, should they keep it up? What is superior to it?
etc. (4) The promises of these prophesies. (5) The denunciations and
judgments found in the book.

Malachi.

The Prophet. His name means "Messenger of the Lord." or "My
Messenger". He was connected with the reform movement of Nehemiah and
Ezra and condemned the same sins which they condemned. He must,
therefore, have lived about 100 years after Haggai and Zechariah, or
about 430-420 B. C. He was the last of the Old Testament inspired
prophets.

The Condition of the Time. The people had been restored to Jerusalem
and the temple and walls rebuilt. They had become sensual and selfish
and had grown careless and neglectful of their duty. Their
interpretation of the glowing prophecies of the exilic and pre-exilic
prophets had led them to expect t