MALACHI — Return to Me

MALACHI — Return to Me

Theme: Spiritual complacency, covenant faithfulness, true worship, and preparation for the Lord's coming.

Key References: Malachi 1:6–8; 3:1–3; 3:10; 4:2–6

1. Major Events

Malachi opens with a declaration of God's love. God says, "I have loved you." But the people respond with cynicism. They ask, "How have you loved us?" They have grown skeptical. They have grown weary. They have grown complacent. They have returned from exile. The temple has been rebuilt. But the glory seems small. The promises seem delayed. The future seems uncertain. And the people are doubting God's love. This is the context of the book. It is not a book about a people who have abandoned God completely. It is a book about a people who have grown numb. It is about a people who have gone through the motions. It is about a people who have lost their first love. And God speaks to them through Malachi.

The first major event is the indictment of the priests. God says, "A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" He accuses the priests of despising His name. They offer defiled food on His altar. They offer blind animals for sacrifice. They offer lame and diseased animals. They keep the best for themselves and give God the leftovers. They say, "The Lord's table is contemptible." They say, "What a burden!" and they sniff at it contemptuously. They bring stolen animals, and lame and diseased animals, and present them as offerings. And God says, "Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" This is the first major event. God confronts the priests for their contemptible worship. He confronts them for their half-hearted devotion. He confronts them for their spiritual complacency.

The second major event is the indictment of the people. God says, "Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god." The men have divorced their wives. They have married foreign women. They have broken the covenant of marriage. They have broken the covenant of their fathers. They have been unfaithful to God and to each other. And God says, "Another thing you do: You flood the Lord's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, 'Why?' It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant." This is the second major event. God confronts the people for their unfaithfulness. He confronts them for their divorce. He confronts them for their broken marriages. He confronts them for their broken covenant.

The third major event is the promise of the messenger. God says, "I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come, says the Lord Almighty." This is one of the most important prophecies in the Old Testament. It is a prophecy of John the Baptist. It is a prophecy of the forerunner. It is a prophecy of the one who will prepare the way for the Lord. And it is a prophecy of the Lord Himself. He will come suddenly to His temple. He will come as the messenger of the covenant. He will come as the one whom they desire. He will come as the one whom they seek. But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. This is the third major event. This is the promise of the coming Lord. This is the promise of the refiner. This is the promise of the purifier. This is the promise of the one who will purify His people.

The fourth major event is the call to return. God says, "Return to me, and I will return to you." But the people ask, "How are we to return?" God says, "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." This is the fourth major event. God calls the people to return. He calls them to repent. He calls them to bring the whole tithe. He calls them to test Him. He calls them to trust Him. And He promises to bless them. He promises to pour out blessing. He promises to open the floodgates of heaven. He promises to rebuke the devourer. He promises to make them a delightful land. He promises to make them a blessed nation.

The fifth major event is the promise of the sun of righteousness. God says, "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act, says the Lord Almighty." This is the promise of the sun of righteousness. This is the promise of the healing. This is the promise of the joy. This is the promise of the victory. This is the promise of the Messiah. He is the sun of righteousness. He is the one who rises with healing in His rays. He is the one who brings joy. He is the one who brings victory. He is Jesus.

The sixth major event is the promise of Elijah. God says, "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction." This is the final promise of the Old Testament. It is the promise of Elijah. It is the promise of the forerunner. It is the promise of the one who will prepare the way. It is the promise of John the Baptist. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children. He will turn the hearts of the children to their parents. He will prepare the way for the Lord. He will prepare the way for Jesus.

2. People

God is the central figure of Malachi. He is the one who declares His love. He is the one who confronts the priests. He is the one who confronts the people. He is the one who promises the messenger. He is the one who calls for return. He is the one who promises the sun of righteousness. He is the one who promises Elijah. He is the one who says, "I have loved you." He is the one who says, "Return to me, and I will return to you." He is the one who says, "Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven." He is the one who says, "For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays." He is the one who says, "I will send the prophet Elijah to you." He is the God of Malachi. He is our God.

Malachi is the prophet. He is the last of the Old Testament prophets. He is the one who receives the word of the Lord. He is the one who delivers the word of the Lord. He is the one who confronts the priests. He is the one who confronts the people. He is the one who promises the messenger. He is the one who calls for return. He is the one who promises the sun of righteousness. He is the one who promises Elijah. He is a man of courage. He is a man of conviction. He is a man of faith. He is a man of hope. He is a picture of every believer who is called to speak the truth in love. He is a picture of every believer who is called to confront complacency. He is a picture of every believer who is called to call for repentance. He is a picture of every believer who is called to proclaim the word of the Lord. He is a picture of every believer who is called to proclaim Jesus.

The priests are the ones who are indicted. They are the ones who despise God's name. They are the ones who offer defiled food on His altar. They are the ones who offer blind animals for sacrifice. They are the ones who offer lame and diseased animals. They are the ones who keep the best for themselves and give God the leftovers. They are the ones who say, "The Lord's table is contemptible." They are the ones who say, "What a burden!" and sniff at it contemptuously. They are the ones who bring stolen animals, and lame and diseased animals, and present them as offerings. They are a picture of the leaders who fail to care for God's people. They are a picture of the leaders who lead the people astray. They are a picture of the leaders who are judged by God.

The people are the ones who are indicted. They are the ones who have grown skeptical. They are the ones who have grown weary. They are the ones who have grown complacent. They are the ones who have doubted God's love. They are the ones who have broken the covenant of marriage. They are the ones who have divorced their wives. They are the ones who have married foreign women. They are the ones who have been unfaithful to God and to each other. They are the ones who are called to return. They are the ones who are called to repent. They are the ones who are called to bring the whole tithe. They are the ones who are called to test God. They are the ones who are called to trust God. They are the ones who are promised blessing. They are the ones who are promised the sun of righteousness. They are the ones who are promised Elijah. They are a picture of us. They are a picture of every believer who has grown complacent. They are a picture of every believer who has grown skeptical. They are a picture of every believer who has grown weary. They are a picture of every believer who has doubted God's love. They are a picture of every believer who has broken the covenant. They are a picture of every believer who has been unfaithful. They are a picture of every believer who has been called to return. They are a picture of every believer who has been called to repent. They are a picture of every believer who has been called to bring the whole tithe. They are a picture of every believer who has been called to test God. They are a picture of every believer who has been called to trust God. They are a picture of every believer who has been promised blessing. They are a picture of every believer who has been promised the sun of righteousness. They are a picture of every believer who has been promised Elijah. They are a picture of every believer who has been promised Jesus.

The messenger is the one who is promised. He is the one who will prepare the way. He is the one who will come suddenly to his temple. He is the one who will come as the messenger of the covenant. He is the one whom they desire. He is the one whom they seek. He is the one who will be like a refiner's fire. He is the one who will be like a launderer's soap. He is the one who will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. He is the one who will purify the Levites. He is the one who will refine them like gold and silver. He is the one who will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. He is the one who is the Lord. He is the one who is the messenger of the covenant. He is the one who is the refiner. He is the one who is the purifier. He is Jesus.

The sun of righteousness is the one who is promised. He is the one who will rise with healing in his rays. He is the one who will bring joy. He is the one who will bring victory. He is the one who will bring healing. He is the one who will bring wholeness. He is the one who will bring restoration. He is the one who will bring renewal. He is the one who will bring revival. He is the one who will bring the sun. He is the one who will bring the light. He is the one who will bring the warmth. He is the one who will bring the life. He is Jesus.

Elijah is the one who is promised. He is the one who will come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. He is the one who will turn the hearts of the parents to their children. He is the one who will turn the hearts of the children to their parents. He is the one who will prepare the way. He is the one who will prepare the way for the Lord. He is the one who will prepare the way for Jesus. He is John the Baptist. He is the forerunner. He is the messenger. He is the one who is promised. He is the one who is coming. He is the one who is Jesus.

3. Teachings

Malachi teaches that God loves His people. He is the one who says, "I have loved you." He is the one who declares His love. He is the one who demonstrates His love. He is the one who proves His love. He is the one who loves His people with an everlasting love. He is the one who loves His people with a faithful love. He is the one who loves His people with a pursuing love. He is the one who loves His people with a patient love. He is the one who loves His people with a merciful love. He is the one who loves His people with a just love. He is the one who loves His people with a holy love. The twist is that God loves His people. The twist is that God declares His love. The twist is that God demonstrates His love. The twist is that God proves His love. The twist is that God loves us with an everlasting love.

Malachi teaches that we should honor God. He is the one who says, "A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" He is the one who calls us to honor Him. He is the one who calls us to respect Him. He is the one who calls us to revere Him. He is the one who calls us to worship Him. He is the one who calls us to serve Him. He is the one who calls us to obey Him. He is the one who calls us to love Him. The twist is that we should honor God. The twist is that we should respect God. The twist is that we should revere God. The twist is that we should worship God. The twist is that we should serve God. The twist is that we should obey God. The twist is that we should love God.

Malachi teaches that we should give God our best. He is the one who confronts the priests for offering defiled food. He is the one who confronts the priests for offering blind animals. He is the one who confronts the priests for offering lame and diseased animals. He is the one who confronts the priests for keeping the best for themselves. He is the one who confronts the priests for giving God the leftovers. He is the one who calls us to give God our best. He is the one who calls us to give God our firstfruits. He is the one who calls us to give God our tithes. He is the one who calls us to give God our offerings. He is the one who calls us to give God our lives. The twist is that we should give God our best. The twist is that we should give God our firstfruits. The twist is that we should give God our tithes. The twist is that we should give God our offerings. The twist is that we should give God our lives.

Malachi teaches that we should be faithful in marriage. He is the one who confronts the people for divorcing their wives. He is the one who confronts the people for marrying foreign women. He is the one who confronts the people for breaking the covenant of marriage. He is the one who says, "The Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant." He is the one who says, "I hate divorce." He is the one who calls us to be faithful in marriage. He is the one who calls us to be faithful to our spouses. He is the one who calls us to be faithful to our covenant. He is the one who calls us to be faithful to our vows. The twist is that we should be faithful in marriage. The twist is that we should be faithful to our spouses. The twist is that we should be faithful to our covenant. The twist is that we should be faithful to our vows.

Malachi teaches that we should return to God. He is the one who says, "Return to me, and I will return to you." He is the one who calls us to return. He is the one who calls us to repent. He is the one who calls us to turn from our sin. He is the one who calls us to turn to God. He is the one who calls us to bring the whole tithe. He is the one who calls us to test Him. He is the one who calls us to trust Him. The twist is that we should return to God. The twist is that we should repent. The twist is that we should turn from our sin. The twist is that we should turn to God. The twist is that we should bring the whole tithe. The twist is that we should test God. The twist is that we should trust God.

Malachi teaches that God will bless us. He is the one who says, "Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." He is the one who promises blessing. He is the one who promises to open the floodgates of heaven. He is the one who promises to pour out blessing. He is the one who promises to rebuke the devourer. He is the one who promises to make us a delightful land. He is the one who promises to make us a blessed nation. The twist is that God will bless us. The twist is that God will open the floodgates of heaven. The twist is that God will pour out blessing. The twist is that God will rebuke the devourer. The twist is that God will make us a delightful land. The twist is that God will make us a blessed nation.

Malachi teaches that the sun of righteousness will rise. He is the one who says, "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves." He is the one who promises the sun of righteousness. He is the one who promises healing. He is the one who promises joy. He is the one who promises victory. He is the one who promises the Messiah. He is the one who promises Jesus. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. The twist is that we will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. The twist is that the sun of righteousness is Jesus.

Malachi teaches that Elijah will come. He is the one who says, "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction." He is the one who promises Elijah. He is the one who promises the forerunner. He is the one who promises the one who will prepare the way. He is the one who promises John the Baptist. He is the one who promises the one who will prepare the way for the Lord. He is the one who promises the one who will prepare the way for Jesus. The twist is that Elijah will come. The twist is that Elijah will turn the hearts of the parents to their children. The twist is that Elijah will turn the hearts of the children to their parents. The twist is that Elijah will prepare the way. The twist is that Elijah will prepare the way for the Lord. The twist is that Elijah will prepare the way for Jesus.

4. Themes

Spiritual complacency is the dominant theme of Malachi. The book is a book of complacency. It is a book that declares that the people have grown skeptical. It is a book that declares that the people have grown weary. It is a book that declares that the people have grown complacent. It is a book that declares that the people have doubted God's love. It is a book that declares that the people have gone through the motions. It is a book that declares that the people have lost their first love. It is a book that declares that the people have offered defiled food. It is a book that declares that the people have offered blind animals. It is a book that declares that the people have offered lame and diseased animals. It is a book that declares that the people have kept the best for themselves. It is a book that declares that the people have given God the leftovers. It is a book that declares that the people have said, "The Lord's table is contemptible." It is a book that declares that the people have said, "What a burden!" It is a book that declares that the people have sniffed at it contemptuously. It is a book that declares that the people have brought stolen animals. It is a book that declares that the people have brought lame and diseased animals. It is a book that declares that the people have presented them as offerings. It is a book that declares that the people have broken the covenant of marriage. It is a book that declares that the people have divorced their wives. It is a book that declares that the people have married foreign women. It is a book that declares that the people have been unfaithful to God and to each other.

Covenant faithfulness is another major theme. The book is a book of covenant faithfulness. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His promises. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His love. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His people. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His marriage covenant. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of marriage. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of life. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of peace. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of grace. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of love. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of mercy. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of justice. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of righteousness. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of holiness. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of truth. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of life. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of salvation. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of redemption. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of restoration. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of renewal. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of revival. It is a book that declares that God is faithful to His covenant of Jesus.

True worship is a theme. The book is a book of true worship. It is a book that declares that we should honor God. It is a book that declares that we should respect God. It is a book that declares that we should revere God. It is a book that declares that we should worship God. It is a book that declares that we should serve God. It is a book that declares that we should obey God. It is a book that declares that we should love God. It is a book that declares that we should give God our best. It is a book that declares that we should give God our firstfruits. It is a book that declares that we should give God our tithes. It is a book that declares that we should give God our offerings. It is a book that declares that we should give God our lives. It is a book that declares that we should be faithful in marriage. It is a book that declares that we should be faithful to our spouses. It is a book that declares that we should be faithful to our covenant. It is a book that declares that we should be faithful to our vows.

And the theme of preparation for the Lord's coming runs through the book. The book is a book of preparation. It is a book that declares that the messenger will come. It is a book that declares that the messenger will prepare the way. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come suddenly to his temple. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the messenger of the covenant. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one whom they desire. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one whom they seek. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the refiner. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the purifier. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will purify the Levites. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will refine them like gold and silver. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the sun of righteousness. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will rise with healing in his rays. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring joy. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring victory. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring healing. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring wholeness. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring restoration. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring renewal. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring revival. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the sun. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the light. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the warmth. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the life. It is a book that declares that the Lord will come as Jesus.

5. Overall Message

Malachi declares that God loves His people. He declares that God says, "I have loved you." He declares that God declares His love. He declares that God demonstrates His love. He declares that God proves His love. He declares that God loves His people with an everlasting love. He declares that God loves His people with a faithful love. He declares that God loves His people with a pursuing love. He declares that God loves His people with a patient love. He declares that God loves His people with a merciful love. He declares that God loves His people with a just love. He declares that God loves His people with a holy love.

But Malachi also declares that we should honor God. He declares that we should respect God. He declares that we should revere God. He declares that we should worship God. He declares that we should serve God. He declares that we should obey God. He declares that we should love God. He declares that we should give God our best. He declares that we should give God our firstfruits. He declares that we should give God our tithes. He declares that we should give God our offerings. He declares that we should give God our lives.

And Malachi also declares that we should be faithful in marriage. He declares that we should be faithful to our spouses. He declares that we should be faithful to our covenant. He declares that we should be faithful to our vows. He declares that God says, "The Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant." He declares that God says, "I hate divorce."

And Malachi also declares that we should return to God. He declares that God says, "Return to me, and I will return to you." He declares that we should repent. He declares that we should turn from our sin. He declares that we should turn to God. He declares that we should bring the whole tithe. He declares that we should test God. He declares that we should trust God.

And Malachi also declares that God will bless us. He declares that God says, "Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." He declares that God will open the floodgates of heaven. He declares that God will pour out blessing. He declares that God will rebuke the devourer. He declares that God will make us a delightful land. He declares that God will make us a blessed nation.

And Malachi also declares that the sun of righteousness will rise. He declares that God says, "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves." He declares that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. He declares that we will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. He declares that the sun of righteousness is Jesus.

And Malachi also declares that Elijah will come. He declares that God says, "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction." He declares that Elijah will come. He declares that Elijah will turn the hearts of the parents to their children. He declares that Elijah will turn the hearts of the children to their parents. He declares that Elijah will prepare the way. He declares that Elijah will prepare the way for the Lord. He declares that Elijah will prepare the way for Jesus.

And Malachi points forward to Jesus. He is the messenger. He is the one who will prepare the way. He is the one who will come suddenly to his temple. He is the one who will come as the messenger of the covenant. He is the one whom they desire. He is the one whom they seek. He is the one who will be like a refiner's fire. He is the one who will be like a launderer's soap. He is the one who will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. He is the one who will purify the Levites. He is the one who will refine them like gold and silver. He is the one who will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. He is the sun of righteousness. He is the one who will rise with healing in his rays. He is the one who will bring joy. He is the one who will bring victory. He is the one who will bring healing. He is the one who will bring wholeness. He is the one who will bring restoration. He is the one who will bring renewal. He is the one who will bring revival. He is the one who will bring the sun. He is the one who will bring the light. He is the one who will bring the warmth. He is the one who will bring the life. He is Jesus. And the book calls us to respond. It calls us to honor God. It calls us to respect God. It calls us to revere God. It calls us to worship God. It calls us to serve God. It calls us to obey God. It calls us to love God. It calls us to give God our best. It calls us to give God our firstfruits. It calls us to give God our tithes. It calls us to give God our offerings. It calls us to give God our lives. It calls us to be faithful in marriage. It calls us to be faithful to our spouses. It calls us to be faithful to our covenant. It calls us to be faithful to our vows. It calls us to return to God. It calls us to repent. It calls us to turn from our sin. It calls us to turn to God. It calls us to bring the whole tithe. It calls us to test God. It calls us to trust God. And it calls us to look forward to the day when the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And His name is Jesus.

6. What Does It Mean?

For humanity, Malachi means that God loves His people. It means that God says, "I have loved you." It means that God declares His love. It means that God demonstrates His love. It means that God proves His love. It means that God loves His people with an everlasting love. It means that God loves His people with a faithful love. It means that God loves His people with a pursuing love. It means that God loves His people with a patient love. It means that God loves His people with a merciful love. It means that God loves His people with a just love. It means that God loves His people with a holy love.

For sin, Malachi means that sin is serious. It means that sin has consequences. It means that sin brings judgment. It means that sin brings destruction. It means that sin brings death. It means that we cannot save ourselves. It means that we need a Savior. It means that we need someone to bear our sins. It means that we need someone to take our punishment. It means that we need someone to justify us. It means that we need someone to intercede for us. It means that we need someone to honor God for us. It means that we need someone to respect God for us. It means that we need someone to revere God for us. It means that we need someone to worship God for us. It means that we need someone to serve God for us. It means that we need someone to obey God for us. It means that we need someone to love God for us. It means that we need someone to give God their best for us. It means that we need someone to give God their firstfruits for us. It means that we need someone to give God their tithes for us. It means that we need someone to give God their offerings for us. It means that we need someone to give God their lives for us. It means that we need someone to be faithful in marriage for us. It means that we need someone to be faithful to their spouses for us. It means that we need someone to be faithful to their covenant for us. It means that we need someone to be faithful to their vows for us. It means that we need someone to return to God for us. It means that we need someone to repent for us. It means that we need someone to turn from their sin for us. It means that we need someone to turn to God for us. It means that we need someone to bring the whole tithe for us. It means that we need someone to test God for us. It means that we need someone to trust God for us. It means that we need Jesus.

For hope, Malachi means that God will bless us. It means that God says, "Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." It means that God will open the floodgates of heaven. It means that God will pour out blessing. It means that God will rebuke the devourer. It means that God will make us a delightful land. It means that God will make us a blessed nation. It means that our sins can be forgiven. It means that our guilt can be removed. It means that our shame can be covered. It means that our brokenness can be healed. It means that our exile can end. It means that our restoration can begin. It means that our future is bright. It means that our hope is secure. It means that God has plans for us. Plans to prosper us. Plans to give us hope and a future.

For identity, Malachi means that we are the people of God. We are the ones who are called by His name. We are the ones who are known by Him. We are the ones who are formed by Him. We are the ones who are set apart by Him. We are the ones who are appointed by Him. We are the ones who are equipped by Him. We are the ones who are sent by Him. We are the ones who are loved by Him. We are the ones who are redeemed by Him. We are the ones who are restored by Him. We are the ones who are His. We are the ones who are called to honor God. We are the ones who are called to respect God. We are the ones who are called to revere God. We are the ones who are called to worship God. We are the ones who are called to serve God. We are the ones who are called to obey God. We are the ones who are called to love God. We are the ones who are called to give God our best. We are the ones who are called to give God our firstfruits. We are the ones who are called to give God our tithes. We are the ones who are called to give God our offerings. We are the ones who are called to give God our lives. We are the ones who are called to be faithful in marriage. We are the ones who are called to be faithful to our spouses. We are the ones who are called to be faithful to our covenant. We are the ones who are called to be faithful to our vows. We are the ones who are called to return to God. We are the ones who are called to repent. We are the ones who are called to turn from our sin. We are the ones who are called to turn to God. We are the ones who are called to bring the whole tithe. We are the ones who are called to test God. We are the ones who are called to trust God.

For faith, Malachi means that we can trust God. We can trust His love. We can trust His covenant. We can trust His faithfulness. We can trust His promises. We can trust His blessings. We can trust His sun of righteousness. We can trust His healing. We can trust His joy. We can trust His victory. We can trust His messenger. We can trust His refiner. We can trust His purifier. We can trust His Elijah. We can trust His forerunner. We can trust His John the Baptist. We can trust His Jesus.

For life, Malachi means that we should honor God. We should respect God. We should revere God. We should worship God. We should serve God. We should obey God. We should love God. We should give God our best. We should give God our firstfruits. We should give God our tithes. We should give God our offerings. We should give God our lives. It means that we should be faithful in marriage. We should be faithful to our spouses. We should be faithful to our covenant. We should be faithful to our vows. It means that we should return to God. We should repent. We should turn from our sin. We should turn to God. We should bring the whole tithe. We should test God. We should trust God. And it means that we should look forward to the day when the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And His name is Jesus.

7. The Twist

The first twist in Malachi is that God loves His people even when they doubt His love. God says, "I have loved you." But the people respond with cynicism. They ask, "How have you loved us?" They have grown skeptical. They have grown weary. They have grown complacent. They have doubted God's love. And yet, God still loves them. God still declares His love. God still demonstrates His love. God still proves His love. The twist is that God loves His people even when they doubt His love. The twist is that God loves His people even when they question His love. The twist is that God loves His people even when they forget His love. The twist is that God loves His people even when they take His love for granted. The twist is that God loves His people even when they go through the motions. The twist is that God loves His people even when they lose their first love. The twist is that God loves His people even when they break the covenant. The twist is that God loves His people even when they are unfaithful. The twist is that God loves His people even when they sin. The twist is that God loves His people even when they fail. The twist is that God loves His people even when they wander. The twist is that God loves His people even when they doubt. The twist is that God loves His people even when they question. The twist is that God loves His people even when they forget. The twist is that God loves His people even when they take His love for granted. The twist is that God loves His people.

The second twist is that God's people rob God. God says, "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me." The people were robbing God. They were keeping the best for themselves. They were giving God the leftovers. They were withholding their tithes. They were withholding their offerings. They were stealing from God. The twist is that God's people rob God. The twist is that we rob God. The twist is that we rob God when we keep the best for ourselves. The twist is that we rob God when we give God the leftovers. The twist is that we rob God when we withhold our tithes. The twist is that we rob God when we withhold our offerings. The twist is that we rob God when we steal from God. The twist is that we rob God when we dishonor God. The twist is that we rob God when we disrespect God. The twist is that we rob God when we fail to revere God. The twist is that we rob God when we fail to worship God. The twist is that we rob God when we fail to serve God. The twist is that we rob God when we fail to obey God. The twist is that we rob God when we fail to love God.

The third twist is that God invites us to test Him. God says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." The twist is that God invites us to test Him. The twist is that God invites us to prove Him. The twist is that God invites us to trust Him. The twist is that God invites us to bring the whole tithe. The twist is that God invites us to bring the whole offering. The twist is that God invites us to bring the whole sacrifice. The twist is that God invites us to bring the whole life. The twist is that God promises to throw open the floodgates of heaven. The twist is that God promises to pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. The twist is that God promises to rebuke the devourer. The twist is that God promises to make us a delightful land. The twist is that God promises to make us a blessed nation.

The fourth twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise. God says, "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves." The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for those who revere His name. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for those who honor Him. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for those who respect Him. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for those who worship Him. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for those who serve Him. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for those who obey Him. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for those who love Him. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for those who revere His name. The twist is that the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays for us. The twist is that the sun of righteousness is Jesus.

The fifth twist is that Elijah will come. God says, "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction." The twist is that Elijah will come. The twist is that Elijah will turn the hearts of the parents to their children. The twist is that Elijah will turn the hearts of the children to their parents. The twist is that Elijah will prepare the way. The twist is that Elijah will prepare the way for the Lord. The twist is that Elijah will prepare the way for Jesus. The twist is that Elijah is John the Baptist. The twist is that John the Baptist is the forerunner. The twist is that John the Baptist is the messenger. The twist is that John the Baptist is the one who is promised. The twist is that John the Baptist is the one who is coming. The twist is that John the Baptist is the one who is Jesus.

The greatest twist is that the book of Malachi is ultimately about Jesus. Jesus is the messenger. He is the one who will prepare the way. He is the one who will come suddenly to his temple. He is the one who will come as the messenger of the covenant. He is the one whom they desire. He is the one whom they seek. He is the one who will be like a refiner's fire. He is the one who will be like a launderer's soap. He is the one who will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. He is the one who will purify the Levites. He is the one who will refine them like gold and silver. He is the one who will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. He is the sun of righteousness. He is the one who will rise with healing in his rays. He is the one who will bring joy. He is the one who will bring victory. He is the one who will bring healing. He is the one who will bring wholeness. He is the one who will bring restoration. He is the one who will bring renewal. He is the one who will bring revival. He is the one who will bring the sun. He is the one who will bring the light. He is the one who will bring the warmth. He is the one who will bring the life. He is Jesus.

And the twist is that the book of Malachi is ultimately about Jesus. It is about His love. It is about His covenant. It is about His faithfulness. It is about His promises. It is about His blessings. It is about His sun of righteousness. It is about His healing. It is about His joy. It is about His victory. It is about His messenger. It is about His refiner. It is about His purifier. It is about His Elijah. It is about His forerunner. It is about His John the Baptist. It is about Jesus.

And the twist is that we are the ones who have doubted God's love. And the twist is that we are the ones who have grown skeptical. And the twist is that we are the ones who have grown weary. And the twist is that we are the ones who have grown complacent. And the twist is that we are the ones who have gone through the motions. And the twist is that we are the ones who have lost our first love. And the twist is that we are the ones who have offered defiled food. And the twist is that we are the ones who have offered blind animals. And the twist is that we are the ones who have offered lame and diseased animals. And the twist is that we are the ones who have kept the best for ourselves. And the twist is that we are the ones who have given God the leftovers. And the twist is that we are the ones who have said, "The Lord's table is contemptible." And the twist is that we are the ones who have said, "What a burden!" And the twist is that we are the ones who have sniffed at it contemptuously. And the twist is that we are the ones who have brought stolen animals. And the twist is that we are the ones who have brought lame and diseased animals. And the twist is that we are the ones who have presented them as offerings. And the twist is that we are the ones who have broken the covenant of marriage. And the twist is that we are the ones who have divorced our wives. And the twist is that we are the ones who have married foreign women. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been unfaithful to God and to each other. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been called to return to God. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been called to repent. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been called to turn from our sin. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been called to turn to God. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been called to bring the whole tithe. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been called to test God. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been called to trust God. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been promised blessing. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been promised the sun of righteousness. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been promised Elijah. And the twist is that we are the ones who have been promised Jesus. And the twist is that the promise has been fulfilled. And the twist is that the promise is being fulfilled. And the twist is that the promise will be fulfilled. And the twist is that the promise is Jesus. And He is coming again.

8. How Can I Learn?

Read Malachi with the theme of complacency in mind. Notice how the people have grown skeptical. Notice how the people have grown weary. Notice how the people have grown complacent. Notice how the people have doubted God's love. Notice how the people have gone through the motions. Notice how the people have lost their first love. Notice how the people have offered defiled food. Notice how the people have offered blind animals. Notice how the people have offered lame and diseased animals. Notice how the people have kept the best for themselves. Notice how the people have given God the leftovers. Ask yourself, "Have I grown skeptical? Have I grown weary? Have I grown complacent? Have I doubted God's love? Have I gone through the motions? Have I lost my first love? Have I offered defiled food? Have I offered blind animals? Have I offered lame and diseased animals? Have I kept the best for myself? Have I given God the leftovers?"

Study the theme of covenant faithfulness. Notice how God is faithful to His covenant. Notice how God is faithful to His promises. Notice how God is faithful to His love. Notice how God is faithful to His people. Notice how God is faithful to His covenant. Notice how God is faithful to His marriage covenant. Notice how God is faithful to His covenant of marriage. Notice how God is faithful to His covenant of life. Notice how God is faithful to His covenant of peace. Notice how God is faithful to His covenant of grace. Notice how God is faithful to His covenant of love. Ask yourself, "Do I believe that God is faithful to His covenant? Do I believe that God is faithful to His promises? Do I believe that God is faithful to His love? Do I believe that God is faithful to His people? Do I believe that God is faithful to His covenant? Do I believe that God is faithful to His marriage covenant? Do I believe that God is faithful to His covenant of marriage? Do I believe that God is faithful to His covenant of life? Do I believe that God is faithful to His covenant of peace? Do I believe that God is faithful to His covenant of grace? Do I believe that God is faithful to His covenant of love?"

Study the theme of true worship. Notice how we should honor God. Notice how we should respect God. Notice how we should revere God. Notice how we should worship God. Notice how we should serve God. Notice how we should obey God. Notice how we should love God. Notice how we should give God our best. Notice how we should give God our firstfruits. Notice how we should give God our tithes. Notice how we should give God our offerings. Notice how we should give God our lives. Ask yourself, "Do I honor God? Do I respect God? Do I revere God? Do I worship God? Do I serve God? Do I obey God? Do I love God? Do I give God my best? Do I give God my firstfruits? Do I give God my tithes? Do I give God my offerings? Do I give God my life?"

Study the theme of preparation for the Lord's coming. Notice how the messenger will come. Notice how the messenger will prepare the way. Notice how the Lord will come suddenly to his temple. Notice how the Lord will come as the messenger of the covenant. Notice how the Lord will come as the one whom they desire. Notice how the Lord will come as the one whom they seek. Notice how the Lord will come as the refiner. Notice how the Lord will come as the purifier. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will purify the Levites. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will refine them like gold and silver. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. Notice how the Lord will come as the sun of righteousness. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will rise with healing in his rays. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring joy. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring victory. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring healing. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring wholeness. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring restoration. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring renewal. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring revival. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring the sun. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring the light. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring the warmth. Notice how the Lord will come as the one who will bring the life. Notice how the Lord will come as Jesus. Ask yourself, "Do I believe that the messenger will come? Do I believe that the messenger will prepare the way? Do I believe that the Lord will come suddenly to his temple? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the messenger of the covenant? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one whom they desire? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one whom they seek? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the refiner? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the purifier? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will purify the Levites? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will refine them like gold and silver? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the sun of righteousness? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will rise with healing in his rays? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring joy? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring victory? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring healing? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring wholeness? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring restoration? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring renewal? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring revival? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the sun? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the light? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the warmth? Do I believe that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the life? Do I believe that the Lord will come as Jesus?"

Memorize key verses like Malachi 1:6–8, 3:1–3, 3:10, and 4:2–6. Meditate on them. Let them shape your understanding of complacency, covenant faithfulness, true worship, and preparation for the Lord's coming. Connect Malachi to the rest of Scripture. Jesus is the messenger. He is the refiner. He is the purifier. He is the sun of righteousness. He is the one who will rise with healing in his rays. He is the one who will bring joy. He is the one who will bring victory. He is the one who will bring healing. He is the one who will bring wholeness. He is the one who will bring restoration. He is the one who will bring renewal. He is the one who will bring revival. Read Malachi in community. Discuss it, apply it, and let it point you to Jesus, the sun of righteousness.

9. Final Reflections

Malachi is a book of complacency. It declares that the people have grown skeptical. It declares that the people have grown weary. It declares that the people have grown complacent. It declares that the people have doubted God's love. It declares that the people have gone through the motions. It declares that the people have lost their first love. It declares that the people have offered defiled food. It declares that the people have offered blind animals. It declares that the people have offered lame and diseased animals. It declares that the people have kept the best for themselves. It declares that the people have given God the leftovers.

Malachi is a book of covenant faithfulness. It declares that God is faithful to His covenant. It declares that God is faithful to His promises. It declares that God is faithful to His love. It declares that God is faithful to His people. It declares that God is faithful to His covenant. It declares that God is faithful to His marriage covenant. It declares that God is faithful to His covenant of marriage. It declares that God is faithful to His covenant of life. It declares that God is faithful to His covenant of peace. It declares that God is faithful to His covenant of grace. It declares that God is faithful to His covenant of love.

Malachi is a book of true worship. It declares that we should honor God. It declares that we should respect God. It declares that we should revere God. It declares that we should worship God. It declares that we should serve God. It declares that we should obey God. It declares that we should love God. It declares that we should give God our best. It declares that we should give God our firstfruits. It declares that we should give God our tithes. It declares that we should give God our offerings. It declares that we should give God our lives.

Malachi is a book of preparation for the Lord's coming. It declares that the messenger will come. It declares that the messenger will prepare the way. It declares that the Lord will come suddenly to his temple. It declares that the Lord will come as the messenger of the covenant. It declares that the Lord will come as the one whom they desire. It declares that the Lord will come as the one whom they seek. It declares that the Lord will come as the refiner. It declares that the Lord will come as the purifier. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will purify the Levites. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will refine them like gold and silver. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. It declares that the Lord will come as the sun of righteousness. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will rise with healing in his rays. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring joy. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring victory. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring healing. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring wholeness. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring restoration. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring renewal. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring revival. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the sun. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the light. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the warmth. It declares that the Lord will come as the one who will bring the life. It declares that the Lord will come as Jesus.

Malachi points us to Jesus. He is the messenger. He is the refiner. He is the purifier. He is the sun of righteousness. He is the one who will rise with healing in his rays. He is the one who will bring joy. He is the one who will bring victory. He is the one who will bring healing. He is the one who will bring wholeness. He is the one who will bring restoration. He is the one who will bring renewal. He is the one who will bring revival. He is Jesus. When we read Malachi, we should be warned by the complacency. We should be called to repentance. We should be challenged to honor God. We should be challenged to respect God. We should be challenged to revere God. We should be challenged to worship God. We should be challenged to serve God. We should be challenged to obey God. We should be challenged to love God. We should be challenged to give God our best. We should be challenged to give God our firstfruits. We should be challenged to give God our tithes. We should be challenged to give God our offerings. We should be challenged to give God our lives. We should be challenged to be faithful in marriage. We should be challenged to be faithful to our spouses. We should be challenged to be faithful to our covenant. We should be challenged to be faithful to our vows. We should be challenged to return to God. We should be challenged to repent. We should be challenged to turn from our sin. We should be challenged to turn to God. We should be challenged to bring the whole tithe. We should be challenged to test God. We should be challenged to trust God. And we should be filled with hope because the promise of the sun of righteousness has been fulfilled in Jesus. And His name is Jesus. And He is coming again.

10. Personal Prayer for MALACHI

Father, You are the God of love. You are the one who says, "I have loved you." You are the one who declares Your love. You are the one who demonstrates Your love. You are the one who proves Your love. You are the one who loves us with an everlasting love. You are the one who loves us with a faithful love. You are the one who loves us with a pursuing love. You are the one who loves us with a patient love. You are the one who loves us with a merciful love. You are the one who loves us with a just love. You are the one who loves us with a holy love. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your covenant. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for Your blessings. Thank You for Your sun of righteousness. Thank You for Your healing. Thank You for Your joy. Thank You for Your victory. Thank You for Your messenger. Thank You for Your refiner. Thank You for Your purifier. Thank You for Your Elijah. Thank You for Your forerunner. Thank You for Your John the Baptist. Thank You for Your Jesus.

Lord, I confess that I have sinned. I have doubted Your love. I have grown skeptical. I have grown weary. I have grown complacent. I have gone through the motions. I have lost my first love. I have offered defiled food. I have offered blind animals. I have offered lame and diseased animals. I have kept the best for myself. I have given You the leftovers. I have said, "The Lord's table is contemptible." I have said, "What a burden!" I have sniffed at it contemptuously. I have brought stolen animals. I have brought lame and diseased animals. I have presented them as offerings. I have broken the covenant of marriage. I have divorced my wife. I have married foreign women. I have been unfaithful to You and to each other. Forgive me. Wash me. Cleanse me. Renew me. Restore me. Help me to honor You. Help me to respect You. Help me to revere You. Help me to worship You. Help me to serve You. Help me to obey You. Help me to love You. Help me to give You my best. Help me to give You my firstfruits. Help me to give You my tithes. Help me to give You my offerings. Help me to give You my life. Help me to be faithful in marriage. Help me to be faithful to my spouse. Help me to be faithful to my covenant. Help me to be faithful to my vows. Help me to return to You. Help me to repent. Help me to turn from my sin. Help me to turn to You. Help me to bring the whole tithe. Help me to test You. Help me to trust You.

Holy Spirit, help me to be like Malachi. Help me to be a man of courage. Help me to be a man of conviction. Help me to be a man of faith. Help me to be a man of hope. Help me to receive the word of the Lord. Help me to deliver the word of the Lord. Help me to confront complacency. Help me to call for repentance. Help me to promise the messenger. Help me to promise the sun of righteousness. Help me to promise Elijah. Help me to proclaim the word of the Lord. Help me to proclaim Jesus.

Thank You for Jesus, the sun of righteousness. Thank You for the messenger. Thank You for the one who will prepare the way. Thank You for the one who will come suddenly to his temple. Thank You for the one who will come as the messenger of the covenant. Thank You for the one whom they desire. Thank You for the one whom they seek. Thank You for the one who will be like a refiner's fire. Thank You for the one who will be like a launderer's soap. Thank You for the one who will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. Thank You for the one who will purify the Levites. Thank You for the one who will refine them like gold and silver. Thank You for the one who will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. Thank You for the sun of righteousness. Thank You for the one who will rise with healing in his rays. Thank You for the one who will bring joy. Thank You for the one who will bring victory. Thank You for the one who will bring healing. Thank You for the one who will bring wholeness. Thank You for the one who will bring restoration. Thank You for the one who will bring renewal. Thank You for the one who will bring revival. Thank You for the one who will bring the sun. Thank You for the one who will bring the light. Thank You for the one who will bring the warmth. Thank You for the one who will bring the life. Help me to live in that hope. Help me to live in that healing. Help me to live in that joy. Help me to live in that victory. And let my life be a reflection of Your faithfulness. In the name of Jesus, the sun of righteousness, Amen.