MALACHI TO MATTHEW (1)

1. Introduction

a) The language which Abram adopted in Canaan, was, or some form of it, the language which was later known as Hebrew. In Isaiah 19:18, it is, indeed called "the language of Canaan".

b) The Old Testament was written in this language, Hebrew, with the exception of a few small passages written in the Chaldean. The Hebrew tongue was spoken and written until the captivity of the Jews in Assyria, where, and when, it fell into disuse with the adoption of the Aramaic. This language (Aramaic), was spoken by them even unto the days of Christ. The Greek language, however, at the time of Our Lord, was now the universal language of the Roman world. Therefore, when the New Testament was written, after the ascension of Jesus, it was written in Greek, the language most generally, and universally read and understood.

2. From Malachi to Matthew 

- The 400 years between the Old Testament and the New Testament

a) A great historical chasm, of about four hundred years, stretches between the close of the Old Testament and the commencement of the New. During this time there was no prophet or inspired writer among the Jews. Our knowledge of what took place during these centuries, of which the Bible is silent, is derived largely from the writings of the Jewish historian, Josephus, from books of the Apocrypha, and from many Greek and Roman writers and historians.

b) The most outstanding days of Jewish history between Malachi and Matthew, were the days of the Maccabees, in their heroic fight for independence. Continually oppressed and massacred by every invader, the spirit of revolt finally inspired the Jews to fight for their freedom. The climax came under the cruel persecution of a tyrannical invader named Antiochus Epiphanes. This tyrant invaded Jerusalem, slaughtered forty thousand Jews in three days, forced his way into the Holy of Holies, and there set up an idol altar, sacrificing a sow as a burnt offering. This blasphemous act of desecration was foretold in the prophecies of Daniel. That armed men would go forth and pollute the sanctuary, and set up the abomination that maketh desolate (Daniel 11:31). But in Daniel 9:26, the future abomination is described. When the Antichrist , of whom this man is a pre-figure, shall again desecrate the Temple, in the end time, ''and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate". It was to this passage that our Lord referred when answering the question of the disciples, "what shall be the sign of thy coming"? Christ answered, "When ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken by the prophet Daniel... stand in the holy place... From then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world... nor ever shall be". (Matthew 12:15-22).