Malachi

Author: Malachi
Date of Writing: 5th century BC
Type of Book: Prophetic
Theme: Spiritual renewal

The book of Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament. Following this book there is a 400-year silence until the New Testament begins with the birth of John the Baptist.

Malachi prophesied during the final days of Nehemiah's leadership. Whereas Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people in the rebuilding of the temple under the leadership of Ezra, Nehemiah led the people in rebuilding the city of Jerusalem; Malachi provided messages from God during this time. The name Malachi menas, "My messenger", and that's exactly what he was. We know almost nothing else about the author.

At this time the people were getting complacent. Under Persian rule, they had been permitted to return to their land in Jerusalem. The Persians wanted their tax money; and as long as they paid their taxes, Israel enjoyed freedom. Life was so much better than it had been under the Babyloniains. They were back home and felt comfortable. The temple was built and most of them had remodeled their houses and started their businesses. Life was good.

But in the middle of their comfort and complacency the prophet Malachi called them to spiritual renewal. He addressed their heart of worship. The Jewish people were going through the motions of religion, but their hearts were not after God. God wanted a real relationship with His people, not just outward obedience.

In the process of this exhortation, Malachi foretold of another messenger, John the Baptist, who would call the people to repentance 400 years later. John the Baptist would introduce the ultimate Messenger, the Lord Himself, "the Messenger of the covenant," Jesus Christ the Messiah (Mal.3:1)

After foretelling the first coming of Jesus, Malachi projected further into the future. This would be a future time of judgment and the return of Elijah to introduce the second coming of Christ.

Malachi, John the Baptist, and Elijah all served as messengers who had the privilege of introducing Jesus to the world. Thus, this book is a fitting and appropriate closing to the Old Testament.

-from Pastor Chuck Smith: The Word for Today Bible