The Book of Malachi
The last word before four centuries of silence — a call to return, and the promise of a coming Sun.
Overview
Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament, addressing a people who had grown half-hearted and cynical in their worship. God confronts their coldness and calls them to return with sincerity.
It closes the Old Testament with a promise pointing forward across four silent centuries to the coming of a messenger — and the Sun of righteousness rising with healing in his wings.
Key themes
Wholehearted worship
God confronts empty, half-hearted religion and calls for sincerity.
God does not change
The Lord's unchanging faithfulness is the ground of hope.
The coming healer
Malachi promises the Sun of righteousness rising with healing.
Key verses from Malachi
For I am the LORD, I change not
The unchanging God is our security.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;
How to read Malachi
Read it as the Old Testament's closing word before the Gospels.
Let it examine any half-heartedness in your own worship.
Notice the forward-looking promise fulfilled when Jesus comes.