Malachi is the last prophetic voice in the Old Testament before 400 years of silence. Written around 430 BC, this book confronts a spiritually apathetic people and points forward to the coming of the Messiah and His forerunner.
The Historical Context
About 100 years after the return from exile, the initial enthusiasm had faded. The temple was rebuilt but worship had become routine. The people went through the motions while their hearts drifted from God.
"The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi." — Malachi 1:1
"Malachi" means "my messenger"—fitting for a book about preparing for God's ultimate Messenger.
"I Have Loved You" (1:1-5)
The book opens with God's declaration of love:
"I have loved you, saith the LORD." — Malachi 1:2
But the people responded with skepticism: "Wherein hast thou loved us?"
God points to His choice of Jacob over Esau as evidence of His electing love. Despite their faithlessness, God remained faithful.
Corrupted Worship (1:6-2:9)
Defiled Sacrifices
The priests offered blemished animals—blind, lame, and sick—on God's altar.
"If ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee?" — Malachi 1:8
They wouldn't offer such gifts to a human ruler, yet they brought their worst to God.
Weary Worship
"Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it!" — Malachi 1:13
Worship had become tedious rather than joyful. They "snuffed at it"—treating God's altar with contempt.
The Priests' Failure
"For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way." — Malachi 2:7-8
The priests who should have taught truth had led people astray.
Faithlessness in Marriage (2:10-16)
"The LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously." — Malachi 2:14
Men were divorcing their faithful wives to marry younger pagan women. God's verdict:
"For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away." — Malachi 2:16
Marriage covenant-breaking grieves God.
Robbing God (3:6-12)
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." — Malachi 3:8
The people's failure to bring tithes revealed hearts that didn't trust God or prioritize His work.
The Promise
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse... and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." — Malachi 3:10
This is God's only invitation to "test" Him—He promises abundant blessing to those who honor Him with their resources.
The Messenger Is Coming (3:1-6)
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple." — Malachi 3:1
This prophecy has two aspects:
- The forerunner — fulfilled in John the Baptist
- The Lord Himself — fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Who Can Endure His Coming?
"But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap." — Malachi 3:2
The Messiah would come to purify, not merely to comfort. He would refine His people like silver.
A Book of Remembrance (3:16-18)
Amid widespread apostasy, some remained faithful:
"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD." — Malachi 3:16
God notices and records the faithfulness of His remnant.
"And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels." — Malachi 3:17
The faithful are God's treasured possession.
The Day of the Lord (4:1-6)
For the Wicked
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble." — Malachi 4:1
For the Righteous
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings." — Malachi 4:2
Elijah Will Come
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD." — Malachi 4:5
Jesus identified John the Baptist as the fulfillment of this prophecy (Matthew 11:14).
Key Themes
God's Unchanging Love
Despite their unfaithfulness, God continues to pursue His people.
Wholehearted Worship
God desires genuine worship, not religious routine.
Covenant Faithfulness
In marriage and in relationship with God, faithfulness matters.
The Coming Messiah
The Old Testament closes looking forward to Christ.
Applying Malachi
- Has your worship become routine or wearisome?
- Are you giving God your best or your leftovers?
- Do you honor your commitments, including marriage?
- Are you faithful in giving, trusting God to provide?
- Do you fear the Lord and speak often with other believers?
After Malachi, 400 years of prophetic silence followed. Then, as promised, the messenger came—John the Baptist crying in the wilderness. And then the Lord Himself came to His temple.
The Old Testament ends with anticipation. The New Testament fulfills the promise. Jesus has come!