Malachi
Summary[i]
Malachi, "my messenger," the
last of the prophets to the restored remnant after the 70 years' captivity,
probably prophesied in the time of confusion during Nehemiah's absence (Neh_13:6). The burden of his message is, the love
of Jehovah, the sins of the priests and of the people, and the day of the Lord.
Malachi, like Zechariah, sees both advents and predicts two forerunners (Mal_3:1; Mal_4:5-6).
As a whole, Malachi gives the moral judgement of God on the remnant restored by
his grace under Ezra and Nehemiah. He had established his house among them, but
their worship was formal and insincere.
The book is in four natural
divisions:
1. The love of God for Israel (Malachi 1:1-5).
2. The sins of the priests rebuked (Malachi 1:6
- 2:9).
3. The sins of the people rebuked (Malachi 2:10
- 3:18).
4. The day of the Lord (Malachi 4:1-6).