In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua]
was in the beginning with God.
MALACHI
The Book of Malachi is the twelfth of the twelve books of the
Minor
Prophets in the Old Testament. The name Malachi comes from the Hebrew
word Malaki meaning, “God’s messenger”. He was the last of the Old
Testament prophets. Malachi ministered to Judah from c. 465-425 BC. The
prophecies of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi spanned an era from c.
520-425 BC.
Nehemiah had finished leading the people
of Judah to complete the walls of Jerusalem after their return from
captivity. But their hearts again turned away from God.
Everyone including the priests had become callous toward God and His
commandments. Their worship was a meaningless ritual and they had robbed
God by not tithing and giving offerings. They considered their evil to
be Godliness and they divorced their wives without shame. God appealed
to them to consider their ways and return to Him for blessings.
God’s people refused to listen. As a result, God would remain silent
after Malachi. Malachi prophesied that God would send another messenger
who would prepare the way for God to reach His people. This prophet came
as John the Baptist more than 400 years later. John prepared the way for
Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Christ would come to bring good news to the
world and enter into His temple. These prophecies were
fulfilled at the first coming of Christ. Malachi also prophesied
the end of days when another prophet, Elijah, would prepare the way
for the great day of the Lord. Christ would bring a remnant of
Israel to repentance
and judge all the nations for their evil. The priests of Levi would be
purified and the wicked would be consumed by fire.
Malachi 1-3: The sins of the people and the priests; God’s appeal to
them for repentance
Malachi 3: God’s promises to those who fear Him
Malachi 4: The coming of Elijah; the great day of the Lord; judgments
and rewards