Covenant Love

The book of Malachi begins with an affirmation about the love God has shown to generations by choosing Jacob's family to carry His covenant promise.

Covenant Broken

God admonishes the men who married foreign women, worshiped their gods or divorced their wives to be faithful to their covenant with Him and marriage.

Day of the Lord

Israel feels neglected and wants God to show justice. He will send a messenger to prepare the Day of the Lord and purify the people.

Generosity Encouraged

God calls the people to start offering a tithe again. It supports the temple, and He will bless them with abundance if they are faithful.

Scroll of Remembrance

In the scroll of remembrance, God records the faithful remnant. It reminds them of His character and promises and inspires them to faithfulness and hope.

THE BOOK OF MALACHI

OT/NT: Old Testament

SECTION: Minor Prophets (12 of 12)

TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: Malachi

KEY PEOPLE: Malachi, the people of Jerusalem, God's people everywhere.

SUMMARY: Canonically, Malachi is the thirty-ninth book of the Holy Bible (1), the thirty-ninth (and final) book of the Old Testament (2) and the twelfth of twelve Minor Prophets (3) books. Malachi is the third of three post-exilic prophets, after Haggai (4) and Zechariah (5). The purpose of this book that Malachi wrote was to ensure the hearts of the Jews were right and that they were keeping God first in their lives.

One hundred years after exile, the Israelites who had returned to Jerusalem were as evil and corrupt as their ancestors. The book of Malachi addresses their corruption regarding issues like sacrifices, marriage and tithing. It also affirms that God does love His people and will fulfill prophecy.

The entire Scripture is one unified story that tells us the truth about the human condition and sin while announcing God's promise to one day send a messenger and then show up personally. He will defeat evil and purify a faithful remnant, establish a New Jerusalem and bring peace, healing and justice (6) forever. It's that promise that prompts God's people to denounce sin, remain faithful to His Covenant (7) and hope (8) for the future.

COMING UP: Next up are the 27 Books of the New Testament (9). Click HERE to explore!

FOOTNOTES:

(1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

(2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/old-testament

(3) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/ot-minor-prophets

(4) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/haggai

(5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/zechariah

(6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/justice

(7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/covenants

(8) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/advent-hope

(9) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

PAGE SOURCES:

(a) https://thebibleproject.com/explore/malachi/

(b) http://biblehub.com/summary/malachi/1.htm