Introduction to Malachi: The Coming of the Lord

The book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and serves as a prophetic bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Written during the post-exilic period, likely between 460–430 BC, it addresses the spiritual and moral decline of the Jewish community in Jerusalem after returning from Babylonian captivity. Though the Second Temple had been rebuilt, the people’s enthusiasm for worship and covenant obedience had faded.

Malachi delivers a series of divine disputes in which God confronts Israel about their unfaithfulness. The people question God's love, and in response, God highlights their disrespectful worship, especially the priests offering defiled sacrifices. The book condemns social injustice, divorce, and failure to tithe, emphasizing how these reflect a broader spiritual crisis. Malachi also rebukes Israel for accusing God of injustice when the wicked seem to prosper.

Despite the rebukes, the book ends with hope. It looks forward to the coming of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord—interpreted in the New Testament as John the Baptist. With a strong emphasis on covenant fidelity and divine justice, Malachi prepares readers for the silence of the intertestamental period and the eventual arrival of the Messiah.

  • A son honors his father and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD Almighty to you, O Priests, who despise my name.

    Malachi 1:6

  • Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the LORD whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like a fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.

    Malachi 3:1–3

  • For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. They day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD Almighty, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

    Malachi 4:1

Malachi’s Authorship, Location & Date

Author

  • The book is attributed to Malachi, whose name means “my messenger” in Hebrew (מַלְאָכִי).

  • Identity Uncertain: There is debate whether “Malachi” is a proper name or a title. Some scholars believe it may be a pseudonym or symbolic name for an anonymous prophet. Others suggest it might be a shortened form of a name like Malachiah ("messenger of Yahweh").

  • Jewish and Christian Tradition: Both traditions affirm Malachi as a prophetic figure distinct from others, despite the lack of biographical details.

Date

  • Post-Exilic Period: Malachi was written after the Jewish people returned from Babylonian exile.

  • Estimated Timeframe: Likely between 460–430 BC.

  • Contemporary with Nehemiah: The issues Malachi addresses—corrupt priests, neglect of tithes, mixed marriages—mirror the reforms Nehemiah undertook during his time (see Nehemiah 13), suggesting overlap in ministry or immediate succession.

Location

  • Judah (Southern Kingdom): Specifically centered around Jerusalem, as the Temple and its worship are major focal points.

  • Second Temple Period: The Temple had been rebuilt (completed in 516 BC), but the spiritual condition of the people had declined.

Malachi’s Historical Context

The book of Malachi is set in the post-exilic period of Israel’s history, specifically during the Persian Empire’s rule over Judah. It reflects the religious, social, and political realities facing the Jewish community after their return from Babylonian exile.

1. Post-Exilic Return and Rebuilding (After 538 BC)

  • In 538 BC, King Cyrus of Persia allowed the Jews to return to their homeland after Babylon’s fall.

  • The Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt by 516 BC, but it lacked the former glory of Solomon's Temple, leading to spiritual disappointment.

  • Expectations of a renewed Davidic kingdom were unfulfilled, creating a gap between divine promises and lived reality.

2. Declining Zeal and Moral Laxity

  • Decades after the initial return, spiritual fervor waned. The community struggled with disillusionment over unfulfilled prophecies.

  • The people questioned God’s justice and love (Malachi 1:2; 2:17), which led to ritual neglect, corrupt priesthood, intermarriage with pagans, and broken marriage covenants.

3. Likely Parallel with Nehemiah (ca. 445–432 BC)

  • Malachi’s rebukes align closely with issues addressed in Nehemiah 13:

    • Neglect of tithes

    • Profaning the Sabbath

    • Mixed marriages

    • Temple misuse

  • This suggests Malachi prophesied either during Nehemiah’s absence in Persia (around 432 BC) or shortly before his final reforms.

4. Persian Rule and the Absence of a King

  • Judah was a small, economically struggling province under Persian control.

  • The absence of a Davidic king led to the prominence of the priesthood and Temple-based worship, increasing the accountability of the religious leaders whom Malachi directly confronts.

5. Transition Toward Messianic Expectation

  • Malachi's final chapter (Mal. 4) looks ahead to a future “Day of the Lord” and a coming messenger, foreshadowing the New Testament era.

  • This marks a theological pivot point from post-exilic discouragement to messianic hope, setting the stage for the arrival of John the Baptist and Jesus in Christian understanding.

Malachi’s Purpose for Writing His Book

1. To Call God’s People Back to Covenant Faithfulness

Malachi’s primary purpose is to confront the moral and spiritual decline among the returned exiles. The people were no longer in outright rebellion but had grown lukewarm and cynical. The prophet calls them to renew their covenant relationship with God, emphasizing:

  • Pure worship (Malachi 1:6–14)

  • Faithfulness in marriage and community life (Malachi 2:10–16)

  • Obedience in tithing and stewardship (Malachi 3:6–12)

2. To Rebuke the Corruption of the Priests and Leaders

Malachi sharply condemns the priesthood, who had failed to honor God's name and had led the people astray through careless, defiled offerings and false teaching (Malachi 2:1–9). The book holds leaders especially accountable for the spiritual state of the nation.

3. To Address Doubts About God’s Justice and Faithfulness

Many in Judah doubted God's love and questioned why evil seemed to prosper. Malachi corrects this distorted thinking by affirming:

  • God's unchanging nature (Malachi 3:6)

  • His future judgment of the wicked (Malachi 3:13–4:3)

  • The vindication of the righteous and the promise of justice

4. To Prepare for the Coming of the Lord

Malachi closes with a forward-looking message: the promise of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord’s coming (Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6). This sets the theological stage for the New Testament by pointing to:

  • A messenger like Elijah (understood by Christians as John the Baptist)

  • The coming "Day of the Lord", a time of both judgment and restoration

Malachi’s Theological Themes

1. God’s Covenant Faithfulness and Love

  • Theme: God affirms His unchanging love for Israel (Malachi 1:2–5), despite their doubts and failures.

  • Implication: His covenantal relationship with His people is based not on their merit but on His sovereign, electing love and enduring faithfulness.

2. Divine Justice and the Problem of Evil

  • Theme: The people accuse God of tolerating evil (Malachi 2:17), but Malachi promises that justice will come with the Day of the Lord.

  • Implication: God's justice may seem delayed, but He will ultimately judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous (Malachi 3:16–4:3).

3. The Purity and Responsibility of Worship

  • Theme: God condemns the priests for offering polluted sacrifices and profaning the Temple (Malachi 1:6–2:9).

  • Implication: True worship demands reverence, obedience, and moral integrity. God's name must be honored among the nations.

4. Covenant Faithfulness in Human Relationships

  • Theme: The people are rebuked for breaking faith with their spouses and intermarrying with pagans (Malachi 2:10–16).

  • Implication: Faithfulness to God must be reflected in faithfulness to others, especially in marriage and community ethics.

5. The Coming Messenger and the Day of the Lord

  • Theme: Malachi predicts the arrival of a messenger who will prepare the way for God’s sudden appearance in His Temple (Malachi 3:1).

  • Implication: This eschatological hope anticipates both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ in Christian interpretation, making Malachi a theological bridge to the New Testament.

6. God’s Immutability and Mercy

  • Theme: "I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed" (Malachi 3:6).

  • Implication: God’s unchanging nature is the basis of hope for a rebellious people—He remains merciful, calling them to return.

7. The Fear of the Lord and the Book of Remembrance

  • Theme: God distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked by their fear of the Lord (Malachi 3:16–18).

  • Implication: God remembers those who honor Him, and their names are written in His “book of remembrance,” assuring them of future reward.

How to Read Malachi

  1. Read in Historical Context – Consider the historical context of Jerusalem and Israel post-exile. The nation has returned but sin is still present, foreign rule is still present, what about God’s promises to restore Israel to its former glory and beyond?

  2. Look for Christological Themes – This is the strongest OT book that focuses both on the coming Messiah & the LORD seeming to merge into one. There are multiple scripture passages that are fulfilled in Christ & His church. Look for NT connections.

  3. Near-Far Fulfillment – Compare Malachi’s message and context to the context of the church and the message of the gospel. What are the similarities?

An Outline of Malachi

The structure of Malachi is set-up in a question and answer format. God makes a statement, Israel responds, and God clarifies or rebukes.

I. Superscription

  • Malachi 1:1
    “The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.”

II. Disputation 1: God’s Love Questioned

  • Malachi 1:2–5

    • Israel doubts God's love.

    • God responds by reminding them of His covenantal choice of Jacob over Esau.

    • Edom's destruction serves as proof of God’s faithfulness to Israel.

III. Disputation 2: Corruption of the Priesthood

  • Malachi 1:6–2:9

    • Priests dishonor God with defiled sacrifices.

    • God warns of curses and rejection of their ministry.

    • A call to restore reverence and faithful teaching.

IV. Disputation 3: Covenant Unfaithfulness in Relationships

  • Malachi 2:10–16

    • Israel violates the covenant through:

      • Intermarriage with idolaters.

      • Faithlessness in marriage (divorce and betrayal).

    • God is a witness against such disloyalty.

V. Disputation 4: The Lord’s Justice and the Coming Messenger

  • Malachi 2:17–3:6

    • The people accuse God of favoring evildoers.

    • God promises to send a messenger who will prepare the way.

    • The Lord will come in judgment to purify and refine.

VI. Disputation 5: Robbing God

  • Malachi 3:7–12

    • The people have turned from God by withholding tithes.

    • God invites them to test His provision and blessings.

    • Promise of abundance if they return faithfully.

VII. Disputation 6: The Righteous and the Wicked Distinguished

  • Malachi 3:13–4:3

    • Cynicism: the people claim serving God is pointless.

    • God responds with a “book of remembrance” for those who fear Him.

    • The wicked will be judged; the righteous will be vindicated.

VIII. Conclusion: Final Warning and Promise

  • Malachi 4:4–6

    • Call to remember the Law of Moses.

    • Promise of Elijah’s return before the great and dreadful Day of the LORD.

    • A final note of hope and warning: restoration or curse.

Visual Images in Malachi

The OT prophets taught with vivid, common, physical imagery to teach spiritual truths. Check out these visual images that teach theological truths. Practice your interpretative skills with other visual images in the Scriptures. As you live life what other visual images teach us spiritual truths?

1. Polluted Sacrifices (Malachi 1:7–8)

  • Image: Blind, lame, and sick animals offered on the altar.

  • Meaning: Symbol of Israel’s disrespectful worship; the people give God their leftovers instead of their best.

2. Refiner’s Fire and Fuller's Soap (Malachi 3:2–3)

  • Image: A metalworker’s fire and a launderer’s soap.

  • Meaning: God will purify His people, especially the priests, through a process that cleanses and refines, not just destroys.

3. Tears on the Altar (Malachi 2:13)

  • Image: The altar covered with weeping and groaning.

  • Meaning: Reflects emotional distress over broken relationships, especially due to divorce, but God ignores these offerings because of covenant unfaithfulness.

4. Robbing God (Malachi 3:8–10)

  • Image: Withholding tithes is described as stealing from God.

  • Meaning: A stark image showing how neglecting generosity is tantamount to theft against the divine.

5. Book of Remembrance (Malachi 3:16)

  • Image: A divine record book for those who fear the Lord.

  • Meaning: Symbol of God's awareness and care; the righteous are remembered and will be rewarded.

6. The Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2)

  • Image: The sun rising with healing in its wings.

  • Meaning: A picture of renewal, healing, and hope for the faithful on the Day of the Lord.

7. Stubble in a Burning Oven (Malachi 4:1)

  • Image: The wicked are like dry stubble consumed in fire.

  • Meaning: Visual representation of divine judgment—swift and total destruction of the unrepentant.

8. Covering One’s Garment with Violence (Malachi 2:16)

  • Image: A garment stained with violence.

  • Meaning: A metaphor for the treachery of unjust divorce, showing how covenant-breaking is like clothing oneself in violence.

9. The Messenger (Malachi 3:1)

  • Image: A forerunner preparing the way.

  • Meaning: Symbol of divine preparation and transition, pointing toward prophetic fulfillment in the New Testament.

A picture of the sun rising from Malachi a visual image of the Son of God as our righteousness and life.
A picture of stubble burning in a furnace from Malachi
A picture of a refiner's fire from Malachi

Get more content on our Visualizing Theology website

Biblical References to Malachi

1. Malachi 3:1

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me...”

NT References:

  • Matthew 11:10 – “This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you...’”

  • Mark 1:2 – “As it is written in Isaiah the prophet... ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you...’” (A blended quote with Isaiah 40:3)

  • Luke 7:27 – “This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you...’”

Fulfillment: This is applied to John the Baptist as the forerunner to Jesus.

2. Malachi 4:5–6 (Hebrew Bible: 3:23–24)

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes...”

NT References:

  • Matthew 11:14 – “And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”

  • Matthew 17:10–13 – Jesus explains that Elijah “has already come,” referring to John the Baptist.

  • Mark 9:11–13 – Similar explanation about Elijah and John the Baptist.

  • Luke 1:17 – The angel tells Zechariah that his son John will go “in the spirit and power of Elijah... to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children...” (direct reference to Malachi 4:6)

Fulfillment: This prophecy is seen fulfilled in John the Baptist’s ministry.

3. Malachi 1:2–3

“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob's brother?”...

NT Reference:

  • Romans 9:13 – “As it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’”

Note: This is a direct quote from Malachi 1:2–3 used by Paul to illustrate divine election.

Next Steps

Search this theme in Malachi: The Coming of the Lord

  1. Read Malachi & keep a journal.

  2. Look for the concept of The Coming of the LORD including coming of the Lord, day of the Lord, messenger of the Lord, & judgment.

  3. Write out the verse with the key word in it. Look for at least one per chapter. There are many more references.

  4. Look for the concept which is connected to the key word & identify how it is being used.

  5. If possible make a connection with a NT with prophetic fulfillment.