Introduction

Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, is attributed to the prophet Malachi, whose name means "my messenger" in Hebrew. This prophetic book serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments, addressing the spiritual and moral decline of Israel after the return from Babylonian exile. Malachi's message is a call to repentance and a reminder of God's covenantal love and justice.

Historical Context

Malachi prophesied during the post-exilic period, likely around 450-430 BC, after the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This was a time when the Jewish community was struggling with disillusionment and spiritual apathy. The initial enthusiasm following the return from exile had waned, and the people were questioning God's promises and justice.

Themes and Message

1. Covenantal Love and Faithfulness: Malachi begins with a declaration of God's love for Israel: "I have loved you," says the LORD. But you ask, "How have You loved us?" (Malachi 1:2). This sets the tone for the book, emphasizing God's enduring commitment to His covenant people despite their unfaithfulness.

2. Priestly Corruption and Worship: The prophet rebukes the priests for their contemptible offerings and failure to honor God: "If I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?" says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name (Malachi 1:6). Malachi calls for genuine worship and reverence for God.

3. Social Injustice and Moral Decay: Malachi addresses the social injustices and moral failings of the people, including divorce and unfaithfulness. He warns against the treachery of breaking faith with one another and with God: "Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why then do we break faith with one another so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?" (Malachi 2:10).

4. The Day of the LORD: A significant theme in Malachi is the coming "day of the LORD," a time of judgment and purification. The prophet speaks of a messenger who will prepare the way: "See, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple" (Malachi 3:1). This is often interpreted as a prophecy concerning John the Baptist and the coming of Christ.

5. Tithes and Offerings: Malachi challenges the people to return to God by being faithful in their tithes and offerings, promising blessings for obedience: "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts, "and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure" (Malachi 3:10).

6. The Faithful Remnant: Despite widespread unfaithfulness, Malachi speaks of a faithful remnant who fear the LORD and esteem His name. God promises to remember them and spare them as His treasured possession: "They will be Mine," says the LORD of Hosts, "on the day when I prepare My treasured possession" (Malachi 3:17).

Significance in the Canon

Malachi's prophecies hold a significant place in the biblical canon as they anticipate the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. The book concludes with a call to remember the Law of Moses and a promise of the coming of Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD (Malachi 4:4-5). This sets the stage for the New Testament, where these themes find fulfillment in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.Malachi 1:1
The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Prophecy of the Three Prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and ...
... Book XVIII. Chapter 35."Of the Prophecy of the Three Prophets, Haggai,
Zechariah, and Malachi. There remain three minor prophets ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 35 of the prophecy of.htm

Prefaces to the Commentaries on the Minor Prophets.
... It gives the order of the Twelve Prophets adopted by the LXX ... of the sixth consulate
of Arcadius Augustus and Anitius Probus, I interpreted Malachi for Exsuperius ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/prefaces to the commentaries on.htm

Other Passages Out of the Prophets Applied to the Resurrection of ...
... This indeed is the aim of other prophets likewise. "Ye shall go forth," (says Malachi),
"from your sepulchres, as young calves let loose from their bonds, and ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxxi other passages out of.htm

Prophets and Kingsforeword
... and wicked; Hezekiah, the loyal and good-hearted; Daniel, the beloved of God; Jeremiah,
the prophet of sorrow; Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, prophets of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/prophets and kingsforeword.htm

Of the Prophets, who Either were the Last among the Jews, or whom ...
... But in that whole time after they returned from Babylon, after Malachi, Haggai,
and Zechariah, who then prophesied, and Ezra, they had no prophets down to the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 24 of the prophets who.htm

Malachi
... MALACHI. It is not inappropriate that Malachi,[1] though not the latest
of the prophets, should close the prophetic collection. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/malachi.htm

The Teachings of the Greek Poets and Philosophers Confirmatory of ...
... Certainly they did at all events utter things confirmatory of the prophets. Concerning
the burning up of the world, Malachi the prophet foretold: "The day of ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxviii the teachings of the.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... described in the last chapter of his book precisely the same state of affairs.
Malachi is thus the last of all the prophets. 24. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Divisions of the Scriptures.
... (5 books). (4) Major Prophets-Isaiah-Daniel. (5 books). (5) Minor Prophets-Hosea-
Malachi. (12 books). 2. New Testament. (1) Gospels-Matthew-John. (4 books). ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter v the divisions of.htm

Now Let us Shew Briefly, if You Will, that These Things were ...
... by the Prophets. You will yourself, since you are so minded, gather together more
from the ample range of the Scriptures. The Prophet Malachi says, "Behold the ...
/.../34 now let us shew.htm

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