Malachi

Summary of the Book of Malachi

Written: c. 460–430 BC

The Old Testament closes with an argument. Malachi — the name means "my messenger" — addresses Judah several generations after the return from exile, roughly the era of Ezra and Nehemiah, when the rebuilt temple was operating but faith had gone cold and cynical. The book's form is six disputes: God states a charge, the people retort "How?" or "In what way?", and God answers with evidence. "I have loved you," Yahweh begins — and they ask for proof.

The charges accumulate. Priests offer blind and lame animals they would never dare present to the governor. Men deal treacherously with the wives of their youth, breaking covenant with the companion God witnessed. The people weary God by claiming evildoers prosper — "Where is the God of justice?" They withhold tithes and offerings, then wonder why the harvest fails; alone among the disputes, this one carries an invitation to test God and watch him open the windows of heaven. Through it all runs an anchor: "For I, Yahweh, don't change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed" (3:6).

The answer to "Where is the God of justice?" points forward: "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me" (3:1), and, in the Old Testament's final paragraphs, the promise to send Elijah before the great and terrible day of Yahweh, while for those who fear God's name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. Four centuries of prophetic silence follow — until the Gospels open with John the Baptist, whom Jesus identifies as that promised Elijah, preparing the way for the Lord who suddenly comes to his temple.

Written to confront post-exilic cynicism and half-hearted worship, and to announce the messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord's coming.