The Book of Malachi
Malachi, the last Old Testament book, rebukes half-hearted worship and promises the coming of the LORD's messenger — closing the era before John the Baptist with four hundred years of silence.
- Testament
- Old (4 chapters)
- Type
- Minor Prophet
- Author
- Malachi ('my messenger'); possibly a title rather than a personal name.
- Date
- Probably 460-430 BC, around the time of Nehemiah's reforms.
Half-hearted religion
The priests offer blemished sacrifices, the people withhold their tithes, and many divorce their wives. Malachi diagnoses a community that still goes through the motions while its heart has wandered. The remedy: return, give honestly, marry faithfully.
The coming messenger
Malachi closes with the promise: 'Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me' (3:1). The Gospels open with John the Baptist as that messenger (Mark 1:2). Old Testament ends; New Testament begins right where Malachi pointed.
Key verses (KJV)
“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me.” — Malachi 3:1 (KJV)
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse... and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts.” — Malachi 3:10 (KJV)
“Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” — Malachi 4:2 (KJV)
How to read Malachi
Four short chapters — read in one sitting. Then read the opening of Mark or Matthew immediately after, and feel how directly the New Testament picks up where Malachi left off.
Read Malachi on your iPhone
Read the full book of Malachi in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.
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