Chapter 878 of 1163

MALACHI

Ministering about four centuries before Christ, Malachi encountered the same religious situation described in Ezra 9–10 and Nehemiah 8–13. The people were backslidden, the priests were worldly, and the nation was far from God. The name Malachi means “my messenger” (2:7; 3:1).

Because the promised kingdom did not come immediately, the Jews questioned God’s love (1:2) and justice (2:17) and complained about the way He was treating His chosen people. It was not long before the priests grew careless in their ministry, and the people followed their bad example.

The book may be outhned as follows:God questions their love (1:1–5)God condemns their sins (1:6–2:17)Despising His name (1:6–14)Profaning His covenant (2:1–17)God seeks their repentance (3:1–4:6)

We know nothing about Malachi the person; he does not even tell us his father’s name as prophets usually do. But after all, he was a messenger; the important thing about a messenger is the message. Malachi was concerned about being faithful, not being famous.

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