About This Book
Malachi, the final Old Testament book, confronts post-exilic Israel's spiritual apathy and corrupt worship practices while promising that the Messenger of the covenant will come. Written approximately a century after the return from Babylon, the people have become disillusioned. The temple is rebuilt but the expected glory hasn't materialized, and they've grown careless about covenant obligations. The book consists of disputes between God and His people, with God making statements that the people question or deny.
God declares His love for Israel, but they ask how He has loved them. God points to choosing Jacob over Esau, loving Israel despite their unworthiness. God confronts the priests for offering defiled sacrifices—blind, lame, and diseased animals they wouldn't dare give their governor. They despise God's name and table, considering worship a burden.
God desires the gates shut rather than receive such worthless offerings. God's name will be great among the nations, but Israel dishonors it. God warns against those who divorce their wives—He hates divorce and violence. The people have wearied God by saying everyone who does evil is good in His eyes, or asking where the God of justice is.
God promises to send His messenger to prepare the way before Him. Then suddenly the Lord will come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant whom they desire. But who can endure the day of His coming? He will be like refiner's fire and fuller's soap, purifying the Levites.
God will come near to judge sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, those who oppress workers and widows and orphans, and those who do not fear Him. The people have robbed God through withholding tithes and offerings—test God by bringing the whole tithe and see if He won't open heaven's windows with blessing. The people complain it's futile to serve God since the arrogant prosper and evildoers escape. But God hears those who fear Him, and they will be His treasured possession.
The book concludes prophesying that Elijah will come before the great Day of the Lord to turn hearts of fathers to children and children to fathers, preparing the way for Messiah.