Name means: “My Messenger.”
Home: Probably Jerusalem.
Occupation: Prophet in postexilic Judah, possibly during the time of Nehemiah, given that he addressed many similar sins mentioned by Nehemiah (Mal. 1:6–14; 2:14–16; 3:8–11; compare Neh. 13:7–31).
Best known as: The last prophet in the Old Testament. Some 400 years of silence passed between Malachi and God’s next messenger John the Baptist, who was prophesied by Malachi (Mal. 3:1; see also John the Baptist’s profile at Mark 1:6).
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The Book of Malachi opens with God speaking to Judah. “I have loved you,” He declares. But the people refuse to believe Him. Their reply essentially says, “Prove it!” Then the Lord affirms His love with an intriguing statement: “Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated.”
Nowhere else does the Bible say that God despised Esau. The oldest son of Isaac and Rebekah may have turned from God, but the Lord never turned from him. He even made Esau the father of a nation, the Edomites (Gen. 25:23; 36:1–43). Malachi seems to refer not to Esau the person but to his descendants, the Edomites—just as the name Jacob means not the man but his progeny. The Edomites had feuded with the Israelites for centuries (see “A Tale of Two Brothers” at Obad. 10). Malachi may have been alluding to Ezekiel’s prophecy about Edom’s treachery (Ezek. 35:1–15).
The Lord demonstrated His love for Judah by protecting the nation from Edomite hostility (see “The Edomites: Perpetual Enemies of Israel” at Gen. 36:9). He hated Edom’s long-standing bitterness, and when the Edomites refused to repent of this sin, they fell under His judgment.
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Private Complacency, Public Sin
A lack of passion for God sooner or later translates into concrete behaviors, and the prophet Malachi offers three tests of whether our love for the Lord has faded. The presence of any of these indicators reveals a need to renew our commitment.
1. Decreasing generosity. Our dedication may be waning if we withhold contributions to church, ministries, and other causes. God is worthy of our best offerings (Mal. 1:6–8). He is not happy with half-hearted efforts, weak excuses, or cheap gifts (1:7–11).
2. Shifting loyalties. Idolatry is broader than bowing to a pagan god (2:10–12). It involves letting anything replace God as the center of our lives.
3. Disintegrating marriages. When as spouses we grow apart to the point of committing emotional or physical adultery, something is amiss in our relationship with the Lord (Mal. 2:13–16).
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Malachi leaves no doubt about what God is doing in human history. The Lord says, “My name shall be great among the Gentiles [or nations].” This is His overarching plan for us and our world.
God spreads His name behind the scenes by orchestrating the rise and fall of governments and rulers. They may assume that their power is their own, and the rest of the world may think that they hold sway. But God sovereignly installs and removes rulers to move His plan forward (see “Governmental Authority” at Rom. 13:1–7).
God also spreads news of His name openly through the words and acts of Christians. Jesus sent us to make disciples of all “nations” (ethnē, “peoples”; see “To Every Nation” at Matt. 28:19). We are to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, and live out the gospel right where we are—in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
God will bring His name honor among the nations, because that is His purpose throughout history. One day, when history draws to a close, every person on earth will know the Lord’s name. Everyone will admit, either reverently or with reluctant submission, that He alone is Lord (Phil. 2:10, 11). The ending has already been decided. Our choice lies in whether we will help God’s cause—or stand in His way.
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Ezra and Nehemiah challenged Judah’s men to “put away” their foreign wives (Ezra 9–10; Neh. 13:23–27). These divorces were aimed at spiritually cleansing the nation and renewing the people’s covenant with God. But divorce soon became common even when both partners were Jewish. Husbands in postexilic Judah were “deal[ing] treacherously” by divorcing their wives, wronging both their partners and God (Mal. 2:14, 16). The trend continued even into Jesus’ day (Matt. 19:3–9).
Malachi, a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah, declared God’s thoughts on the matter: “He hates divorce.” God instructed the people to “take heed to your spirit” (Mal. 2:16). A casual attitude toward divorce was a symptom of a spiritual problem. According to the Bible, treachery in marriage is always connected to problems of faith.
More: For more on what God says about divorce, see “Marriage and Divorce” at Deut. 24:1–4.
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God commanded the Israelites to give tithes (“a tenth part”) of their produce or income for three reasons: to celebrate God’s abundant provision (Deut. 14:22–26), to support the Levites (14:27; Num. 18:20–24), and to provide for the poor (Deut. 14:28, 29).
The postexilic Jews who withheld their tithes and offerings apparently preferred to keep for themselves what God had asked them to give away. Their hoarding not only stole from God but from people who sorely needed assistance. Malachi tried to reawaken corporate responsibility for public worship and for the needy. He knew that obedience to God involved more than a private faith. Our relationship with God has social implications, including giving away part of our income to those who need it.
More: Christians are not bound by the law of the tithe, but its principles still apply. Find out more in “Celebrating Abundance” at Deut. 14:22–26.
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Bible Principles for Managing Money
Money makes a wonderful servant but a horrible master. The love of money can motivate us to exploit others (Mal. 3:5) and rob God (3:8, 9). It unleashes all kinds of evil and grief (Ps. 52:1–7; Matt. 13:22; 1 Tim. 6:6–10; Rev. 3:17). But the Bible offers practical help for overcoming money’s seductive power:
• Do not set your heart on riches, and guard yourself against committing oppression and robbery (Ps. 62:10; James 5:1–6).
• Be content with what you have rather than envious of what others have (Ex. 20:17; Heb. 13:5).
• Thank God for whatever resources you have, and honor Him by giving to others freely (Deut. 8:11, 17, 18; Prov. 3:9, 10; Matt. 10:8; Acts 20:35).
• Avoid the devastating results of building your reputation with money (Acts 5:1–11).
• Accept wealth as a gift from God with thanksgiving, generosity, and a spirit of stewardship rather than ownership (1 Tim. 6:17, 18; 2 Cor. 8, 9).
More: Learn more about the Bible and money by reading the articles under “Wealth and Poverty” in the Themes to Study index.
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The Old Testament ends with a prophecy that the prophet Elijah will return. The New Testament often mentions this man who is perhaps the greatest of Israel’s prophets:
• An angel promised Zacharias that his son John the Baptist would minister “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17).
• John the Baptist fulfilled the promise of Elijah’s return as a forerunner of Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:7–14; 17:11, 12). John denied that he was literally Elijah, however (John 1:21).
• Some people believed that Jesus was actually Elijah (Matt. 16:14; Mark 6:15).
• Jesus used Elijah as an example of how prophets are often dishonored and ignored by the people closest to them (Luke 4:24–26).
• Elijah appeared with Jesus and Moses at the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:3).
• Jesus’ disciples asked if He wanted to destroy a Samaritan village by calling down fire from heaven, as Elijah had done to soldiers sent to arrest him (Luke 9:54; compare 2 Kin. 1:10–12).
• Bystanders at Jesus’ crucifixion thought that He called to Elijah for help (Matt. 27:46, 47, 49).
• Paul cited the Lord’s promise of a remnant during His response to Elijah’s prayer on Mount Horeb (Rom. 11:2–5; compare 1 Kin. 19:14, 18).
• James pointed to Elijah as a model of prayer (James 5:17, 18).
More: Elijah’s life is outlined in six major incidents. See “The Lord Is God” at 1 Kin. 18:37—19:14. See also Elijah’s profile at 1 Kin. 17:1 and “Mapping the Life of Elijah” at 1 Kin. 18:1.
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