Summary
God's covenant love questioned, and a promise to send His messenger.
by Dr. David Silver2 min read
Read the Summaryby Dr. David Silver2 min read
Malachi is a minor prophet, and his book is one of ‘The Twelve.’ His name means ‘my messenger.’ He is prophesying after Judah returned to Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile. If he was before Ezra and Nehemiah, the date of his writing was about 460 B.C. He writes in a dialectical style, with six disputations given. In the first three, God exposes Israel’s corruption, and the last three he confronts their corruption. Malachi exhorts God’s people to take God seriously and to prioritize his law and to have a godly attitude.
The first dispute is over God’s love. God reminds his people that he chose them and not Esau. In the second dispute, God shares that the people and priests are showing contempt for him by bringing blemished offerings. His name will be great among the nations (1: 11). God wants to be feared among the nations (1: 14). In the third dispute, God explains that the men are into idolatry (2:11) and are divorcing their wives for no good reason (2: 14-16).
In the fourth dispute, the people complain that God is not just (2:17). God responds by instructing the people that a messenger will come who will purify his people and restore justice. God will come near for judgment (3: 5). In the fifth dispute, God asks the people to return to him. He exhorts the people that they are robbing him by not bringing in the whole tithe. If they do this, he will shower them with blessing. In the sixth dispute, the people whine that it is futile to serve God (3: 14). God gives an example of a group of God-fearers who honor his name during their discussion. God will show a distinction between those who serve him and those who do not (3: 18).
Chapter 4 concludes the book with a warning about a day coming, when God will judge the arrogant and every evildoer (4: 1). But those who revere his name will find healing and triumph. God charges his people to remember the law of Moses (4: 4). He will also send a prophet to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.
Structure
Chapter 1:1–5
The people ask how, and God answers by pointing to His choice of Jacob over Esau.
Chapters 1:6–2:16
Blemished offerings brought by priests who despise His name, idolatry, and men divorcing the wives of their youth.
Chapters 2:17–3:12
The people say God is unjust; He promises a messenger who will refine and purify, and asks them to stop robbing Him in tithes.
Chapters 3:13–4:6
Those who feared the Lord spoke with one another and God listened; a day is coming that will burn, and the sun of righteousness will rise with healing — and Elijah will come first.
Key Themes
01
The book opens with God insisting He has loved a people who doubt it.
02
Offering God what you would not give your governor.
03
God hates the treachery of the covenant broken at home.
04
Test me in this, says the Lord, and see if I will not open the windows of heaven.
05
Judgment for the arrogant, healing for those who revere His name.
The Challenge We Face
Malachi closes the Old Testament with a promise: I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before Me, and the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple.
All four gospels identify that messenger as John the Baptist, and Jesus says plainly that John is the Elijah who was to come. Four hundred years of silence sit between Malachi’s last verse and the first page of Matthew.
Apply Scripture
When you doubt God’s love, look at what He has already done.
What we offer God reveals what we think He is worth.
Faithfulness at home is covenant faithfulness.
God invites His people to test His generosity.
Conversations between people who fear the Lord are noticed in heaven.
Study guides
You've seen the big picture. Now explore the book verse by verse with our practical Bible Study Guide.
Related Resources
