Introduction to Malachi

Let us look deeper into the Book of Malachi, the last of the Old Testament books. It is one of the Twelve Minor Prophetic Books written during the post-exilic period after the Israelites returned from the Babylonian captivity. The book of Malachi bridges the prophetic era of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.

Malachi, the Prophet

The name “Malachi” is deeply significant. In Hebrews, it means “My Messenger.”  Although historical details of the prophet’s personal life are scarce, his message and writings address critical issues in Israel’s religious practices as God’s covenant community. From the meaning of the name, some have falsely believed that “Malachi” is just a title denoting the prophetic duty of delivering divine messages.

Malachi’s Message

Malachi’s prophecy was aimed at the Jewish community, who had become apathetic and disillusioned after returning from exile. Although the temple had been rebuilt, they entertained doubts about God’s love and justice because of their unmet expectations. Hence, in his message, Prophet Malachi addressed issues such as spiritual apathy, corruption among the priests, neglect of tithing, and moral decay. He focused mainly on improper worship and broken covenant relationships, including marriage.

Malachi’s purpose

Malachi’s purpose was to call the people to return to genuine worship and be faithful to God’s covenant. He emphasized God’s love for Israel, reminding them of their obligations to the covenant and warning them of coming judgment if they failed to repent. He also foretold the coming of a messenger to prepare the way for the Messiah, connecting his message to the future hope of redemption amid the struggles of God’s struggles.

Malachi’s urgent message called God’s people to repent and reminded them of God's justice. He was preparing the way for the next phase of God’s plan, which culminated in the arrival of Jesus Christ.

Application

The Book of Malachi calls us to reflect on the importance of genuine worship and faithfulness to God’s covenant. Malachi’s message reminds us to prioritize our relationship with God, and approach worship with sincerity and reverence. From this book, we can learn from Malachi’s call for repentance and recognize the significance of maintaining a strong spiritual connection with God amidst the challenges and distractions of daily life.