Malachi probably was written about 80 years after the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem. But times were hard. The glory of Israel had not been restored. And sin and empty religion were rampant among the leaders the people who followed them.
In his prophecies, Malachi first rebuked the priests who were dishonoring God with their sacrifices and leading the people astray with their teaching. He then rebuked the people who had broken their commitment with God and were entering into marriage with idol-worshippers. The book of Malachi and the Old Testament, closes with the reminder that the people need a redeemer - one who will come from God and save his people.
What does it say?
Malachi was faced with a disillusioned people. Ministering some 80 years after the temple had finally been rebuilt, Israel remained a weak and insignificant little nation. There was no prosperity, no glory, no Messianic reign establishing Jerusalem as the center of the world's attention. The people were wondering if all the prophets had been feeding them a line. God himself seems somewhat of a letdown, even unjust.
Malachi's assignment was to recharge these people and straighten out their thinking and their lives. Malachi begins by affirming God's covenant love for Israel and then sets out to rebuke their unfaithfulness. He first addresses the unfaithfulness of the priests, the leaders and teachers of the people. And then he rebukes the unfaithful people. He tells them that the Lord really is going to return. He will purify the priesthood and he will judge the people. Malachi calls them to respond with repentance. He closes this short four-chapter book, and the final book of the Old Testament, by announcing the Day of the Lord.
Faces & Places
Malachi was the last of the prophets of God until the coming of John the Baptist. His message was to the priests of the people and to the people themselves. No specific individuals are mentioned. At the close of the book, the prophet Elijah is prophesied to appear prior to the coming of the Lord. These prophecies were delivered from Jerusalem to the residents of that city.
Key Verses & Themes
The Day of the Lord:
Malachi 4:1-2 "'Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,' says the Lord Almighty. 'Not a root or branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.'"
The Prophet Elijah to Come:
Malachi 4:5-6 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful Day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
The Appeal to Return:
Malachi 4:7-9 "'Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away form my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you.' says the Lord Almighty. 'But you ask, "How are we to return? Will a man rob God?" Yet you rob me. But you ask, "How do we rob you?" In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me.'"
So what?
Malachi was intended to be a spiritual wake-up call to the people of Israel. Life was quite mundane and the glorious promises of God were not coming true. Walking by faith and not by sight was not very exciting to these discouraged people.
It is easy to relate. The Bible tells us that Christ will return. He will set all things right. He will vindicate the godly and punish the wicked. He will prove himself God to all the people. But we continue to wait and wait and wait. We do not see what has been promised. Peter writes about this in 2 Peter 3:3-18. He tells us that people will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.'" (3:4)
But Peter tells us to be patient, for the Day of the Lord will, in fact, come. And because of that fact, we ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to that day. Since we are looking forward to his coming, we should make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him when he arrives.
