Introduction:
This book records the messages of the prophet Malachi, who lived during the second half of the fifth century BC, after the temple had been rebuilt. The Jews had married foreign women, disobeyed God’s rules for sacrifices, failed to give God what they should have, and forgotten God’s covenant.
Malachi’s chief concern was that the Israelites’ relationship to God was not as it should be. They had forgotten God and treated him with dishonor. They failed to do what God required of them. Because of this, Malachi told the people God would judge them. But he also said that the God-fearing people did not need to worry because they would enjoy God’s salvation forever.
Outline of contents: