Read: Malachi 1-4
Malachi is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible and some believe he might be Ezra under an alias name, but he was probably a man named Malachi that God gave a message to. His name mean’s “My messenger”. He was the last prophet before the New Testament. He has a great love for God’s people and the temple worship. God sent him to foretell the coming of Christ and call the people out of their sins and warn them of God’s just judgment.
He begins his rebuke with telling the people how much God loves them. Then he explains his sorrow in their worship of him. It is evident in their offerings because they offered polluted bread on his altar. The people weren’t giving God their best, only a token. God knows everything and especially the motives of our heart.
The priests were held responsible for the people because they weren’t teaching them to bring a perfect lamb. Every thing they were commanded to do was a picture of God. Jesus was to be the perfect lamb so God was very particular as to how people depicted him. The priest were not teaching truth or living it. He rebuked the men who abused and divorced their wives. He rebuked the priests for not teaching against sin but calling evil good.
Malachi three foretells of John the Baptist who would prepare the way before Jesus. He would preach against sin and tell them to purify their hearts so they would be able to receive Jesus. He would call them to tithe once again so that God could bless them.
He rebuked the people for thinking it was vain to worship and fear God. He reminded them that their words were recorded in God’s Book of Remembrances. The ones who feared the Lord were written about also. This is one of the books that will be opened on Judgement Day. Those that fear the name of the Lord shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. They will go forth and bear fruit. Before Jesus comes again, someone with the spirit of Elijah or John the Baptist will appear to turn the hearts of the children back to our patriarchs.
Lord, may we fear Your name and worship You in spirit and in truth.
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