Malachi: An Introduction and Commentary

An Outline of the Book of Malachi[1]

  I. God's Covenant Love for Israel (1:1-5)

 II. Israel's Unfaithfulness Rebuked (1:6-2:16)

III. The LORD's Coming (2:17-4:6)

I. GOD'S COVENANT LOVE FOR ISRAEL (1:1-5)

The people questioned God's love for them, but they were reminded that God had chosen their ancestor Jacob, while rejecting his brother Esau. God's covenant with Israel demonstrated His love for the people.

II. ISRAEL'S UNFAITHFULNESS REBUKED (1:6-2:16)

• The priests were responsible for showing contempt for God's Name because they accepted deficient sacrifices. These lame and blind sacrifices were dishonoring to Him. Malachi explained to the people that there were three reasons why the people should honor God: 

1) God was Israel's Father

2) God was their Master, and thus worthy of worship

3) The LORD is King

For all of these reasons, God deserved the best sacrifices that the people could bring (1:6-2:9).

• The people also were warned that they were not respecting marriage as God had intended. Not only were they guilty of intermarriage with idolatrous people, they were guilty of divorce, a practice that God hates (2:10-16).

III. THE LORD'S COMING (2:17-4:6)

• The general attitude of the people was that God either was unconcerned or unaware of the people's sin. Both of these assumptions were mistaken, though, because God's justice is perfect and certain (2:17).

• The LORD promised to send His messenger Elijah ahead of Himself to announce His coming. "Elijah" refers to John the Baptist, and the LORD's coming refers to Jesus Christ (3:1-6; Luke 7:27).

• The people were guilty of stealing from God because they refused to give His their tithes (3:7-12). They should never expect to be blessed if they continued to live this way.

• Once more, God assured the people that He loved them. As proof, He would preserve a remnant who would be His own possession (3:13-4:3).

• In conclusion, the people were commanded to remember the Law of Moses and to remember that God's judgment was coming (4:4-6). Before the great and terrible day of the LORD, however, God would sent the prophet Elijah to the people, and he would restore the people's hearts.

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[1] Outline derived from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible, 1546.