What does the book of Malachi teach us about God? Israel’s population believed that God had abandoned them. Years had passed since their return from banishment; the temple had also undergone reconstruction. They may have believed that King Solomon’s heyday would return when they heard Ezekiel’s prophecy (Ezekiel 43:4). However, nothing noteworthy occurred in the temple, and things weren’t doing so well economically either. Malachi made his prophecies at this particular time.
Concept of the covenant
Malachi focuses on the idea of the covenant. From the beginning of the book, God’s love for Israel is a clear expression of [His covenant] with them (Malachi 1:2-5). Malachi stands out from other prophetic books because, in nearly all of its passages (47 out of 55), God speaks directly to Israel.
Israel is a son
Israel is a son of God (Malachi 1:10; 3:17). His goal is to bestow upon His son every blessing (3:10–12). This also applies to us, God’s sons and daughters (John 1:12). Israel broke their bond with God when they sinned against Him (3:5), rather than appreciating their relationship with Him and reacting to Him in love. The people were disinterested in worship and neither were the priests (1:13). They tricked Him of vows and robbed Him of tithes and sacrifices (1:14; 3:8); they were callous in their generosity (3:8).
Much blessing
God would have showered His people with “so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (3:10) if they had maintained their commitment with Him. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, the apostle Paul also imparts this lesson to us: God will reward us when we give freely and joyfully.
Broken relationships
Relationships in society ruptured as a result of Israel’s strained connection with God. It became common to divorce and marry non-believers (2:11). God considers marriage to be a covenant (2:14), and he detests divorce because it is the rupture of a commitment. God values the family and believes that raising children is a shared responsibility (2:15). We ourselves must not take these obligations lightly.
Judge
God makes it plain that His relationship with Israel is one of a judge, master, and king in addition to that of a parent (1:6, 1:14; 3:5). He will evaluate and refine (3:2-5). And those who oppose the process of refinement will be destroyed by fire (4:1). Remember that in addition to being a God of love, our God is also holy and just. We can now put on the righteousness of Christ and make peace with God thanks to the establishment of the New Covenant.
Encouragement
Those who feared God must have found solace in Malachi’s words, which read as follows: “Then those who feared the Lord, talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.” In His presence, a scroll of remembrance about those who feared the Lord and honored His name was recorded. The Almighty Lord declares, “They will be mine on the day when I assemble my precious possessions.” I’ll spare them, just as a father who is compassionate will spare his serving son. 3:16-47
We are also encouraged by the scriptures mentioned above.
