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An introduction to the book of Malachi.
The prophet Malachi
wrote this book in Jerusalem
after the Jews returned from Babylon.
He proved to be
a fearless spokesman for Jehovah.
Malachi completed writing his prophecy
sometime after 443 B.C.E.,
many years after Haggai and Zechariah
wrote their books
but about the same time
Nehemiah wrote his book.
About a century had passed
since the first Jewish exiles
returned to Jerusalem.
The temple had been rebuilt,
and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls
was completed.
But the nation still needed spiritual guidance.
The book of Malachi has four chapters.
In chapters 1 and 2,
Jehovah denounces the priests
for their corrupt practices.
Jehovah calls them to account
because they are offering him
inferior animals for sacrifice.
The priests have been negligent
in teaching the people
who are unjustly divorcing their wives
and marrying new wives from pagan nations,
something that Jehovah hates.
Chapter 3 indicates
there would be a forerunner to the Messiah.
The Messiah, or “messenger of the covenant,”
will come to the temple to cleanse it.
Jesus did this when he
threw greedy merchants out of the temple.
Did you know?
Malachi mentions Elijah the prophet.
However, Elijah had been long dead
by the time Malachi wrote his prophecy.
Jesus identified John the Baptizer
as the “Elijah” that Malachi foresaw.
In chapter 4,
Malachi makes a prophetic reference
to “the sun of righteousness,”
which highlights Jesus’ role
as mankind’s savior.
As you read the book of Malachi,
notice how Jehovah expects us
to give him our best,
how Jehovah hates unjust divorce,
and how “the messenger of the covenant,”
the foretold King of God’s Kingdom,
supports true worship.

Introduction to Malachi