Today, we conclude our journey through the Old Testament books of the Bible with today’s study of Malachi. I pray God shows us what He wants us to learn. Please visit my freebie tab to download a PDF copy of the entire Old Testament summary.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
As we study the Bible alone or in a group setting, there are several questions we can ask ourselves to help us dig deeper. The five questions are:
- What does the scripture say about God?
- Then what does the scripture say about me?
- Does something in this passage challenge me?
- What gives me hope in this passage?
- Is anything unclear to me?
I hope these questions help you as much as they help me.
Book of Malachi
- Author: Malachi.
- Audience: The people in Jerusalem.
- Date Written: 430 B.C.
- Length: 4 chapters.
- Keywords: Thus says the Lord.
- Key Verses: “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty.” (3:6-7).
- Key People: Malachi.
Summary of Malachi:
Malachi’s message focuses on God’s faithfulness to Israel, despite their failures. The people cannot disobey God and then blame Him for the consequences of their sins. God promises to send messengers preparing the way for the Messiah, regardless of human failure. The Book of Malachi is an oracle, the word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi (1:1). God warns the people through Malachi to turn back to Him. As the Old Testament comes to a close, the Israelites hear the pronouncement of God’s justice and the promise of restoration through the coming Messiah. After that, there are four hundred years of silence.
Sections of the Book:
The book of Malachi contains three significant themes:
- God’s Love for Israel Affirmed (1:1-1:5).
- Israel’s Rebuke (1:6-2:16).
- The Lord’s Coming Announced (2:17-4:6).
God’s Characteristics:
And like so many other books in the Bible, we see God’s character on display in this book:
- Loving – 1:2, 3.
Messages in Malachi:
The words of Malachi 2:16 echo through time, reminding us of the importance of honoring God’s commands, especially when it comes to the sacred union of marriage. God’s disapproval of divorce come from his deep reverence for the covenant of marriage, which reflects His own unbreakable love for His people.
In His omniscience, God sees into the depths of our hearts and understands the true intent behind our actions. He knows when we veer off course, but His mercy is abundant for those who seek forgiveness and return to His loving embrace. As Malachi 3:6 tells us, if we turn back to God, He will never turn His back on us.
Christ in Text:
The last prophetic words from the OT still reveal hope in the coming of Christ, the Messiah. Malachi speaks of two messengers: the messenger that will precede Christ, whom the NT identifies as John the Baptist, and Christ.
All Lessons from the Bible
Each book of the Bible contains lessons for us to learn and historical information. We must study God’s Word to see what to do and what not to do in life. Paul reminds us of the importance of the words within the text in 2 Timothy 3.
2 Timothy 3:14-17; “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Prayer
Please grant me the understanding and knowledge of You and Your word. As I open my Bible to read the scriptures, it gives me wisdom and discernment. And even as I sit and listen to the pastor, preacher or apostle reveal what Your Holy Book is speaking into my life, help me see and understand. Help me know Jesus Christ and how He lived His life so I can follow in His precious footsteps.
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Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
Every message in the Bible gives us opportunity to know God. We can learn a lot from Malachi. God’s faithfulness and love is more than we can comprehend. 🙂
Thanks Melissa and very true. God bless
Malachi, a book of hope before the silence leading to Christ. Wonderful work, Yvonne. God bless!
Yes it is full of so much hope. Thanks Nancy and God bless you.
Malachi’s message on God’s faithfulness to Israel, despite their failures, echoes the grace we all have through Jesus. We don’t deserve it, which makes God’s love so much more extraordinary.
Amen Jessica. His love is so undeserved but I’m so glad He gives it freely. Blessings
This short book of Malachi is packed with Scripture truth. God does not change and His standards do not change, including marriage. As you said, the marriage covenant represents His undying commitment to His people. He calls us to Himself and He is faithful. Wonderful summary!
Amen Melissa and thank you. He is so faithful. God bless
Excellent, Yvonne. I like how you note, “The people cannot disobey God and then blame Him for the consequences of their sins. God promises to send messengers preparing the way for the Messiah, regardless of human failure.” Great truth for us today.
Thanks Karen. And all still relevant for us today. God bless.