MALACHI’S NAME means ‘messenger of God’. He was the last of God’s prophets in the Old Testament, prophesying after the Jewish exile in Babylon. After his days ‘the sun went down on the prophets’ (Micah 3:6) for about 400 years—until the time of Jesus.
The Message
Malachi was told to remind Israel that God had been good to them, but that priests and people alike had failed (1:2). Their punishment must come and God would open His message to the Gentiles (non- Jews). A greater priest is to come—the Lord Jesus Christ, “the Messenger of the covenant” (3:1). Through him God will make a new covenant with believers, both Jews and Gentiles.
Chapter 3 foretells Christ’s coming in judgement—or blessing—depending how he is received. He is to be preceded by a forerunner who will “prepare the way before Me” (3:1). When he first came, his forerunner was John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10). Malachi also foretold that Elijah the prophet will come to Israel at the time of Christ’s return to earth (4:5).
A Delightful Land
Malachi looks to the Kingdom of God, when He will bless Israel. The land will become “delightful” (3:12) and all nations who respond will be blessed through Israel’s King.
There is a promise for those who love God:
Just as the High Priest carried the names of the twelve tribes of Israel close to his heart, on the jewels on his breastplate (Exodus 28:29), so we can be amongst God’s special treasure in the coming day (3:17).
Norman Owen
By kind permission of ‘The Christadelphian’
Some interesting links with other parts of the Bible:
- Malachi 1:11—see Isaiah 49:6; 60:3; Romans 9:24–26.
- Malachi 3:16, 17—see Exodus 28:29; Deuteronomy 4:20; 1 Peter 2:9.
- Malachi 4:2—see Luke 1:78, 79; Ephesians 5;14; Revelation 1:16.