MALACHI

A call to spiritual renewal.

Overview

Malachi is a prophetic book written in a Socratic: Statement, objection, answer format. It was written between 450-430 BC, about 100 years after Cyrus’ edict to return (Ezra 1:2-4). Scholars believe, through internal evidence that the author of the book is a contemporary of Nehemiah and Ezra. The temple at this point had been completed (Ezra 6:13-18) and Jerusalem had become safe to live in again. The people had become complacent and the priest had become comfortable with the fact that worship was happening, even if it was wrong. God sends this message as a loving warning so that they might be renewed and return to him. History informs us that they did not heed these warnings and what follows is a four-hundred-year silence where before John the Baptist appears. This book screams of personal renewal in preparation for the coming Messiah of God.

By looking at God’s requirements of his people we see what truly is important to Him. With a foundation of God’s love our (1:1-5) the text will cause the church to examine the heart behind the actions that they might be undertaking. It’s less about legalistic box ticking and more about heart felt repentant obedience to our first love: Jesus. This gospel focus will lead to spiritual renewal.