How did people respond to message of Malachi?

Answer 1

(Vss. 1-16). At the command of Jehovah, Obadiah makes known his vision. The nations are summoned to join in war against Edom. "Rise up, you people, and let us rise up against her in battle," God commands. Then, directing his remarks to Edom itself, he assesses her position. Edom is just a small one among the nations and is despised, yet she is presumptuous. She feels safe lodged in among the lofty crags, sure that no one can bring her down. Nevertheless, Jehovah declares that even if her dwelling were as high as the eagle's, even if she were to nest among the stars themselves, from there he would bring her down. She is due for punishment.-Vs. 1.

What is going to happen to her? If thieves were to despoil Edom, they would take only what they wanted. Even grape gatherers would leave some gleanings. But what lies ahead for the sons of Esau is worse than this. Their treasures will be completely ransacked. The very allies of Edom will be the ones to turn on her. Those who have been her close friends will catch her in a net as one without discernment. Her men known for wisdom and her warriors known for valor will be no help in the time of her calamity.

But why this severe punishment? It is because of the violence that the sons of Edom did to the sons of Jacob, their brothers! They rejoiced at the fall of Jerusalem and even joined with the invaders in dividing up the plunder. In strong denunciation, as if Obadiah is witnessing the vile deeds, Edom is told: You ought not to rejoice at your brother's distress. You ought not to hinder the flight of his escapees and hand them over to the enemy. The day of Jehovah's reckoning is near, and you will be called to account. The way you have done is the way it will be done to you.

(Vss. 17-21). In contrast, the house of Jacob is due for restoration. Men will return to Mount Zion. They will devour the house of Esau as fire does stubble. They will take hold of the land to the south, the Negeb, as well as the mountainous region of Esau and the Shephelah; to the north they will possess the land of Ephraim and Samaria, and the region as far as Zarephath; to the east they will get the territory of Gilead. Proud Edom must cease to be, Jacob must be restored, and "the kingship must become Jehovah's."-Vs. 21.

Answer 2

Zephaniah prophesied in the days of King Josiah. "Halley's Bible Handbook" reveals, however, that Zephaniah was a "prime mover" in a "great reformation" in his time [II Chron.34]. Of which, the Scriptures tell us that for a brief time Zephaniah's "warnings" or whatever his involvement was in the reformation... it lasted at least for the duration of Josiah's reign.

Because Zephaniah's time also preceded the coming years of the Babylonian captivity.

"So Josiah removed all detestable idols from the entire land of Israel and required everyone to worship the LORD their God. And throughout the rest of his lifetime, they did not turn away from the LORD, the God of their ancestors." (II Chron.34:33 NLT New Living Translation)

Yet, Zephaniah, being a "biblical prophet" warns God's people and all the nations of the world, today! So, as far as the people of the world today are concerned... an infinitesimal number of them are aware of Zepahaniah's existence in God's revealed Word; much less that he is warning them.

"So now the LORD says: 'Be patient; the time is coming soon when I will stand up and accuse these evil nations. For it is My decision to gather together the kingdoms [governments] of the earth and pour out My fiercest anger and fury on them [see Rev.16]. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of My Jealousy [see also Judgement Day - Rev.20:15-20]. On that Day I will purify the lips of all people, so that everyone will be able to worship the LORD together. (Zeph.3:8-9 NLT)

Zephaniah is still warning God's servants, today. But the people of Zephaniah's time responded a little better to his warnings than the people are today.