Malachi: The Final Word

Malachi is the final book in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It records a series of disputes between God and His people. The resolution of the disputes is found in the coming Messiah – Jesus.

First, the people accuse God of not loving them (1:2). God reminds them that he has a loving, covenant relationship with them. He demonstrates His favor towards them by contrasting the blessings He gave to Jacob with His treatment of Easau (1:2-5). The greatest evidence of His love is seen when He sends the Messiah. The Messiah is called “the messenger of the covenant” (3:1). The covenant with His people will be fulfilled through the Messiah.

Second, God shows the people how they and their priests are despising Him by bringing blind and lame animals for sacrifice (1:6-14). The law instructed the priests to only offer animals without any blemishes. God reminds the priests of their duty to fulfill their responsibilities to Him and the people (2:1-9).

God then tells them that when Messiah comes, “He will purify the sons of Levi…so that they may present to YEHOVAH offerings in righteousness (3:3). Again, Messiah is the resolution to men’s problems and failures.

In the third dispute, God tells the people their offerings are unacceptable to Him because of their sin. He uses marriage to demonstrate His accusation. The people sin by violating God’s covenant (by intermarrying with non-believers) and by treating each other treacherously (by divorcing their wives) (2:10-16). The people respond by raising a fourth dispute. They weary God by asking why He does not immediately punish evil? (2:17).

Both disputes are resolved by the Messiah. God says Messiah will be “like a refiner’s fire” (3:2). He will judge Jew and Gentile alike. He will not tolerate foreigners abusing His people or allow His own people to abuse each other. He will make atonement for the sins of all people and call them to, “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

The last two complaints are also linked. God shows them the need for a Messiah as they are continually violating law – as exemplified by their not tithing (3:6-12). The people cynically respond by claiming there is no benefit to keeping God’s law (3:13-15).

God’s answer and final word to the people is that He keeps a “book of remembrance.” It contains the names of those who love and obey Him (3:16-17). He describes them as those that pursue righteousness and serve Him (3:18).

Elsewhere, this book is called “the book of life” (Revelation 3:5, 17:8, 20:12). It is also known as the “Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27) and “the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain” (Revelation 13:8). Our names are able to be recorded in this book because “while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Jesus, the promised Messiah, resolves every dispute between man and God. Through the promised Messiah Jesus, God has reconciled the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).