In brief
Malachi is the prophet whose name stands at the head of the last book of the Old Testament. He speaks to the people who have returned from exile, a weary people who offer God sacrifices without heart and doubt his love. God answers with a direct word: he loves his people, he asks for sincere worship, and he promises a messenger who prepares the way, then a day of justice and healing. The book closes the old covenant on the expectation of the One who is coming.
What does the name Malachi mean?
His name is generally linked to the Hebrew word meaning "my messenger". The book uses this same word in Malachi 3:1, where God announces the sending of his messenger. The Bible gives no direct explanation for the choice of this name.
The story of Malachi
A word addressed to Israel
Malachi 1:1-5The book opens with an oracle of the Lord to Israel through Malachi. God begins with a declaration of love for his people. The people answer with doubt, asking how they have been loved. God recalls his choice of Jacob and affirms that his greatness reaches beyond the borders of Israel.
Offerings without honor
Malachi 1:6-14God speaks to the priests who despise his name. They bring blind, lame and sick animals to the altar, something they would not dare offer to their governor. God reminds them that he is a great king whose name is feared among the nations, and he asks for wholehearted worship.
The messenger who prepares the way
Malachi 3:1-4God announces the sending of his messenger, who prepares the way before him. Suddenly the Lord whom the people seek will come to his temple. His coming is compared to a refiner's fire: he purifies the sons of Levi as gold and silver are refined, so that the offering may again be pleasing.
Tithes and the faithfulness of God
Malachi 3:6-12God invites his people to return to him. He accuses them of robbing him by holding back tithes and offerings. He asks them to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, and he promises to open the windows of heaven, pour out blessing and protect the fruits of the land.
The book of remembrance and the day of the Lord
Malachi 3:16 to 4:6Those who fear the Lord speak with one another, and a book of remembrance is written before him. God declares them his own. The day of the Lord will come: the sun of righteousness will rise for those who fear his name. God will send the prophet Elijah, who will turn the hearts of fathers toward their children.
What Malachi teaches us
- God wants worship that gives him the best, not the leftovers of our time, our strength or our resources.
- When we doubt God's love, he answers with his faithfulness and invites us to return to him.
- God sees and records those who fear him, even when everything seems to show that the wicked prosper.
- God purifies his people with patience, as the refiner purifies silver, so that our offerings may be right.
- The book turns our eyes to the One who is coming, and the New Testament recognizes in it the announcement of John the Baptist and of Jesus.
Key verses
God announces the sending of his messenger to prepare the way, then the sudden coming of the Lord to his temple. The New Testament applies this message to the work of John the Baptist and the coming of Christ.
God invites his people to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse and to put him to the test. He promises to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessing in abundance.
For those who fear the name of the Lord, the sun of righteousness will rise, with healing in its wings. This promise closes the Old Testament on the hope of salvation.
Sermons about Malachi
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Malachi mean?
His name is generally linked to the Hebrew for my messenger. The book uses this same word in Malachi 3:1 when God announces the sending of his messenger. The Bible itself does not comment on the meaning of the prophet's name.
Who was Malachi in the Bible?
Malachi is the prophet who gave his name to the last book of the Old Testament. He speaks to the people who have returned from exile, rebukes the priests for worship without honor, and announces a messenger, then the day of the Lord.
Where can I find the story of Malachi in the Bible?
It is found in the book of Malachi, which has four chapters in most English Bibles. Chapters 1, 3 and 4 contain the most quoted passages: the love of God, the messenger, the tithes and the day of the Lord.