1. After Malachi delivered his prophecy, 400 years followed in which no more revelation was received from God. The silence was finally broken by the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist. Malachi even prophesied of John the Baptist’s coming (Mal. 3:1; 4:5–6).
2. Paul quotes Malachi 1:2–3 as Scriptural evidence for the doctrine of election (Rom. 9:13).
3. The Jews were dishonoring God by offering blind, lame, sick, and even stolen animals as sacrifices (Mal. 1:6–14).
4. The Lord refused to receive the offerings of those who had divorced their wives (Mal. 2:13–16).
5. The Lord promises to take those who fear Him and make them His jewels (Mal. 3:16–17).

In Malachi, God is glorifying Himself through His love, so that He might demonstrate His superior goodness in the salvation sinners, the damnation of the wicked, and for the preservation of His people for His eternal glory, and their eternal joy.

The author identifies himself as Malachi (Mal. 1:1).

While we don’t know the exact year in which Malachi prophesied, we do know it was after the rebuilding of the temple (516 B.C.)  and probably before the fall of the Persian Empire (330 B.C.). It should also be noted that the sins condemned by Malachi are very similar to those addressed by Nehemiah (such as marrying pagan wives).

“ ‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord.
Yet you say, “In what way have You loved us?”
Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’
Says the Lord.
‘Yet Jacob I have loved;
But Esau I have hated,
And laid waste his mountains and his heritage
For the jackals of the wilderness.’ ”

Malachi 1:2–3

“A son honors his father,
And a servant his master.
If then I am the Father,
Where is My honor?
And if I am a Master,
Where is My reverence?
Says the Lord of hosts
To you priests who despise My name.
Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’
“You offer defiled food on My altar,
But say,
‘In what way have we defiled You?’
By saying,
‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’ ”

Malachi 1:6–7

“ ‘Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
“ ‘But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the Lord
An offering in righteousness.’ ”

Malachi 3:1–3

1. You rob God when you withhold tithes and offerings.
2. We should never grow weary of worshipping God.
3. God hates divorce.

1. “The Messenger of the Covenant”

   Malachi predicted that a messenger would come and prepare the way for a greater Messenger, “the Messenger of the covenant” (Mal. 3:1–3). The first messenger is revealed in the New Testament to be John the Baptist (Matt. 11:10; Mark 1:2, 4; Luke 7:27), while “the Messenger of the covenant” is clearly a title for Christ Himself.

2. “The Sun of Righteousness”

   Malachi prophesied that “The Sun of Righteousness” would arise “with healing in His wings” (Mal. 4:2). This is a picture of what Christ does for the elect. He brings light into their dark lives and heals their wounded souls.

1. God Declares His Love to a Doubting People (Mal. 1:1–5)
2. How Israel Has Not Loved God (Mal. 1:6–2:16)
3. The Reason God Is Wearied (Mal. 2:17)
4. Another Messenger Is Coming (Mal. 3:1–7)
5. How to Return to the Lord: Do Not Rob God (Mal. 3:8–12)
6. The People Complain Harshly (Mal. 3:13–15)
7. A Book of Remembrance Is Written By Those Who Fear God(Mal. 3:16–18)
8. Four Ways God Will Express His Love Toward His People in the Future (Mal. 4)