As you will probably be aware, Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament, this wasn’t planned and so it’s just a happy coincidence that we reach the end of this section at the end of the year.

In modern Christianity we would consider the opening to this book most strange; we preach week by week of God’s love to all mankind yet as Malachi begins he brings before us how the Lord loved Jacob yet hated Esau. It’s important to realise that this doesn’t mean that the Lord hated Esau in an emotional way; but it was instead a term used referring to the birthright and inheritance. You will remember that although Esau was the older yet Abraham gave the blessing to Jacob. So Malachi brings before the nation of Israel the nation of Edom who desire once again to be great, they plan to return and build; but the Lord promises that He will overthrow and destroy that which they build that He may be magnified.

These must have been heartening words to the nation of Israel, yet now, having told of His protection and love, the Lord now brings his judgement against His own people with the condemnation that they don’t bring Him honour and they despise His name.
The query is then, how are they despising His name? If you remember back to the law given to Moses, the people were instructed to bring the best that they had, a male lamb to be offered, they were to observe it to make sure that it was pure and unblemished. Yet we are told that they had thought this was just a wearisome task and although they were still bringing offerings they were bring lame and even stolen animals to offer to the Lord.

The Lord now turns to the priests, these descendants of Levi had had the privilege of coming before the Lord and helping the people to keep the Law, yet we read that this covenant, which was life and peace to the people had been made a stumbling block; and the priests had corrupted the covenant given to Levi. Why, the Lord asks, do the people all deal treacherously with one another? They are all descendants of Abraham yet they treat each other with such disdain. The Lord warns them that they may be cut off from His promises if they continue because they have wearied Him with their appearance of righteousness and yet their contempt for the things of the Lord.

Although Malachi is the last prophet in the Old Testament, he promises a messenger from the Lord who will prepare the way and who will purify the people so their worship will once again be honouring to God. God in turn will judge those who still stand against the things of His law and do not fear Him.

Following the criticism of their offerings the message now comes that they have robbed God. How is this possible they ask? The response from God is that they have not kept His ordinances (rules). Firstly they have not been giving the tithes of their harvest, yet God wondrously challenges them to bring the tithes into the storehouse so that they can see how greatly He will bless them, He promises that their harvests will not fail and that all the other nations will wonder.
Secondly He states that they have spoken out against Him, they have looked at those who do not honour God and have commented at how well they are doing. Yet again the Lord promises that there is a record of those that have been honouring Him and that there are is a reward laid up for them, and that there is a day appointed when the proud and wicked will be judged and destroyed.

The book ends with a final rallying call to remember and return to the Law of Moses; the people are promised another prophet who will come before the great and terrible day of the Lord. So as we enter about 400 years when there was no message from the Lord, the people are promised John the Baptist who will bring the people in repentance and who will baptise for the confession of sin, preparing us for the New Testament and God’s revelation of His Son, Christ Jesus who will be the one who fulfils the Law and offers permanent forgiveness.

As I’ve read through this book this month I’ve been amazed at how relevant it is to us today. I’ve been challenged at how I come before the Lord. Do I come grudgingly, as part of a routine just bringing whatever happens to be available; or do I come having willingly prepared my heart and mind to come before God bringing the best I can for him? Can we challenge our hearts to live lives pleasing to God and to honour his commandments as we enter into a new year?

Malachi 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Malachi 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

Malachi 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

I am's of Jesus Christ I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore	Next month: Matthew.	Dare to be a Daniel why is prophecy so important?
	Spending time in the Scriptures
	Last month: Zechariah.

All quotes are from the King James version of the Bible unless otherwise specified.