47 Malichi

You may be surprised to discover that the subject matter in the Old Testament book of Malachi has significant implications for your life now and for your future.

Where does Malachi fit into the Bible?

Malachi is the final book of the 12 Minor Prophets. The Bible shows that because of their sins, the tribe of Judah was taken into captivity by the Babylonians, with Jerusalem and the temple was destroyed. A remnant of the Jews returned from that captivity and, during the time of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, finished rebuilding the temple. After another 60 years Ezra arrived to further advance the nation. He was followed 13 years later by Nehemiah who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. In 52 days!!!
By Malachi’s time, the Jews had been back in their homeland for more than 100 years. The temple had been rebuilt and the city of Jerusalem had been restored.
Malachi means “messenger,” and it is translated as “My messenger” in Malachi 3:1. The obvious implication is that Malachi is God’s messenger with a message from Him. Nothing else is mentioned or known about the author.

Malachi is a book of messengers, and five can be identified:

1. First, the prophet Malachi was one of the messengers.
2. The priests were supposed to be God’s messengers, but were chided for failing to perform their priestly office according to God’s instructions (2:7).
3. John the Baptist was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ’s first coming (3:1).
4. Jesus Christ is the Messenger of the covenant who would return to His spiritual temple, the Church (3:1).
5. An end-time Elijah is prophesied to appear on the scene before “the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (4:5-6) to prepare the way for Christ’s second coming.

At the time of Malachi’s writing, the spiritual condition of the people was deplorable and wretched. Some had wanted to scale back on their worship of God. Others were highly skeptical of the worth of worshiping at all.

As you read through Malachi, you will be struck by the common sins of the day: adultery, lying, oppression of the poor, ungodly marriages, stealing God’s tithes and offerings, sacrifices that were inferior, a lax priesthood and so on. Malachi prophesied to a nation that had reached a low spiritual condition. They had a casual approach to the worship of God, and the priests were responsible for not giving proper spiritual direction and guidance.

An important aspect of the book is the people’s failure to recognize God’s love for them . Instead they became indifferent and didn't care about seeking God, and they were unwilling to heed the dire warnings and predictions. There was a spirit of confrontation and argumentation between the people and God, including God’s messengers. Their spiritual laxity bred a defiant, contentious attitude that would lead to their destruction unless repented.

We have to ask ourselves if these conditions characterize the prevalent or common spiritual condition of the Christian world today. It should not stretch our imagination to see similar behavioral trends in vogue, especially among people of the Western world. We claim to be “Christian,” but are indifferent and calloused toward God and His inspired Word—His revelation to man. Few take notice of biblical teachings and how they apply to their daily lives.

Malachi was inspired to carry his message forward to the end of the age, and he makes reference to the return of Christ. He calls it “the day” Out of love, God calls for us to repent; and He gives a stern warning to all, including those living at the end time.

We should do something because it is the right thing to do, all people should heed the warnings so that they will be “worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man”. Unless Christ intervenes in the affairs of humanity, the world would end “with a curse” or utter destruction. The whole process that eventually leads to the lake of fire begins with the people not responding to the love of God.
Yet some do respond to God. “A book of remembrance” is written for those God calls “My jewels,” and He promises to spare them as His own children. Why this special category of people as opposed to the many who reject Him?

The book of Malachi lists several reasons :

1. They “feared the LORD”—honored, esteemed, respected and obeyed Him.
2. They “spoke to one another,” showing the importance of fellowshipping with people of like mind.
3. They “meditate on His name” study and think about the Bible to come to a greater understanding of God and His purpose for mankind. Their lives took on a different purpose and meaning. Hope replaced despair, and truth replaced error.
4. They served Him, showing a willingness to obey God and to seek His Kingdom and righteousness as a first priority in their lives.

The book of remembrance is mentioned as an encouragement to those faithful to God, since He needs no book of records to remember or recollect names.

In the last chapter of Malachi there is a description of what will occur to the incorrigibly wicked in their day of judgment. These are the people who deliberately persist in rejecting God’s laws and His way of life. Notice they are ashes under the feet of the righteous, and not in perpetual torment in a fire that never goes out . The righteous who have remained faithful and endured to the end will be given blessings beyond imagination.

As a last warning, God calls upon all to “remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments” . This is the final instruction in the last book in the English arrangement of the Old Testament books. It ties in with the first book in the New Testament and Christ’s teachings that He did not come to destroy the law, but to make it more complete. It is a direct contrast to many who teach that the law is irrelevant and has no bearing on the life of a Christian. Each book of the Old Testament shows the development of God’s plan of redemption through the Ages right up to the time of the final redemption accomplished on the Cross. Take away the Old Testament and we cannot maintain a true understanding of the prophesied Saviour.


In verses 5-6 there is a reference to an Elijah who would come to prepare the way before Christ’s second coming at the time of “the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” John the Baptist partially fulfilled this prophecy, preparing the way for Christ’s first coming.

The instruction in Malachi is clear. God pleads with people to consider their ways and to respond to His love and to accept His offer of everlasting life. Look it up.