Book of Malachi: Chapter 1
Malachi is the last of the Old Testament books and the final prophet of the era.
After 22 years, two successive Persian kings (Darius and his son Xerxes), and conflicting political agendas and setbacks, the temple was finally rebuilt by 516. But the nation constantly struggles to maintain obedience to God’s law. In the next hundred years, two more groups return, Ezra leading the first group of thousands and Nehemiah leading the final group. Both leaders find the nation in a state of apathy and rebuke the Jews to encourage them to return to a wholehearted worship of the one true God. But, shortly after these leaders leave, the nation falls back into spiritual lethargy. Perhaps they were discouraged that they were still far from their former glory and disappointed that God had not yet fulfilled His promises to exalt His kingdom to the surrounding nations.
The name Malachi means “my messenger” and what a message from God he brings! Continuing the message of Nehemiah, he emphasizes that God is prepared to not only judge his people, but also restore them to their former status. The book begins with God’s reminder that He will demolish Judah’s enemies. That said, the nation is rebuked for offering disrespectful sacrifices. Malachi depicts a conversation in which the nation of Judah asks ignorant questions and God answers (rather sarcastically). If this conversation seems familiar, Jesus Himself tells a similar one in Matthew: “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me’” (Matt 25:44-45).
Key Verse:
“‘Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and my name is to be feared among the nations.’” ~ Malachi 1:14
Questions to ponder:
- Do you feel that you offer God sacrifices of inferior quality? Perhaps you give him the remnant of your time, a half-hearted commitment to your small group, your serving, or your offering to God?
- Have you ever struggled to give cheerfully or generously? What do you think of God’s declaration that you should refrain from giving at all rather than dishonor him with half-hearted gifts?
