UNROLL
First light in the empty court of the plain second temple: a square altar of rough fieldstones, cold and swept, a single clean white lamb standing quietly at its step, the plain stone house behind with its cedar doors open, under a calm pale sky.

The Book of

Malachi Intro

God’s love, His people’s shrug, and a promise that He is coming.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min4 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

The temple is rebuilt, and hearts have gone cold.

God says, ‘I have loved you.’

His people answer, ‘How?’

Six times He makes His case.

And He promises a messenger, and a Day.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

Malachi

The LORD’s messenger after the exile

  • The word of the LORD came to Israel through Malachi.Malachi 1:1
  • His name means ‘my messenger.’Malachi 1:1
  • About 460–430 BC, the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.Most scholars
  • The temple is standing again, and a governor rules Judah.Malachi 1:8

How it’s built

Six disputes

Loved1:2–5A despised name1:6–2:9 · the priestsBroken faith2:10–16Where isjustice?2:17–3:5 · MymessengerRobbing God3:6–12 · returnHarsh words3:13–4:3 · the DayRemember, andElijah4:4–6

Whiteboard

Each time, the LORD speaks, the people ask ‘How?’, and He answers.

How to read it

Read it as an argument.

God states, His people push back,

and He answers.

It ends looking for the One who comes.

Big themes

Four threads to follow

Watch for

Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me.

Malachi 3:1

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Question

Quick question

The last book of the Old Testament ends with a promise about Elijah.

Who does Jesus say is ‘the Elijah who was to come’?

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