39 - Malachi

TLDR: The last OT prophet: priests and people are half-hearted — defiled offerings, broken vows, no tithes. "Bring the full tithe." A messenger will prepare the way; the sun of righteousness will rise. Then the NT opens with John the Baptist and Jesus.

Overarching Storyline

God's love for Jacob (ch. 1:1–5). Defiled offerings (ch. 1:6–2:9). Broken covenants (ch. 2:10–16). Day of the LORD (ch. 2:17–3:5). Tithes and testing God (ch. 3:6–12). The faithful remnant (ch. 3:13–18). Elijah before the great day (ch. 4:5–6).

Bible Project: Malachi overview.

Pegs for Memorizing This Book

• Person: Malachi, messenger, Elijah (to come).
• Image: Refiner's fire, full tithe, scroll of remembrance.
• Number: 4 (chapters), 3 (the LORD's coming: messenger, covenant, day).
• Phrase: "Bring the full tithe" (3:10); "I will send my messenger" (3:1); "Elijah" (4:5).

Highlights

• Malachi 3:1 — I will send my messenger to prepare the way (John the Baptist).
• Malachi 3:10 — Bring the full tithe; test me in this.
• Malachi 4:2 — The sun of righteousness will rise with healing.
• Malachi 4:5–6 — I will send Elijah before the great and dreadful day (cited for John the Baptist, Matt 11:14; 17:12).

(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)

Before and After

• Before: Zechariah; Malachi closes the Twelve and the OT.
• After: Centuries of silence; then Matthew — John the Baptist as the preparing messenger, Jesus as the sun of righteousness.

Place in the Overarching Biblical Story

Prepare the way. Malachi points to a messenger (Elijah) and the day of the LORD. The Gospels identify John as that messenger; Jesus is the Lord who comes to His temple (Mal 3:1).

Interesting Facts

• Last book of the OT — In Protestant order; sets expectation for the coming of the LORD and Elijah.
• Matthew 11:14; 17:12 — Jesus says John the Baptist is the Elijah who was to come.