​Loved by God
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You have been loved by me, says the Lord. But you say, Where was your love for us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? says the Lord: but Jacob was loved by me, 
Malachi 1:2

God’s love comes from His character. God is love and the best way to know His love is to observe His actions. God reveals His love for man by what he does for man.

I know some would disagree with my previous claim. Citing all the terrible things in the world, many would question the love of God. This is exactly what Israel did during Malachi’s day.

Israel had been in captivity for her sins. But the Lord graciously allowed His people to return to their land to rebuild. At the time the book of Malachi was written, Israel not only enjoyed a rebuilt Jerusalem, but also a rebuilt temple. They were able to worship the Lord again. Their return home was proof of God’s love.

God’s love for Israel stemmed from God’s love for Jacob. That love included the promise of land, descendants, and blessing (Genesis 28:12-15). The Lord extended His promise beyond Jacob to Israel. The land God promised was that same land in which the Israelites resided in the day of Malachi. They were Jacob’s biological descendants. They were offered the same blessing of eternal life that was offered to Jacob. God was revealing His love to Israel, but their hearts were too dull to see it.

We must be careful to keep sensitive hearts to God’s love. That love, culminates in Jesus Christ coming to earth as a man, fulfilling God’s law, dying for sinful man, and rising from the dead. Through Christ’s work, the worst of sinners can freely have forgiveness of sin. 

The Word of the Lord

The word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. 
Malachi 1:1

God gives His own word to His own man, Malachi. Some Bible translations use the word oracle, instead of word. An oracle is a burdensome message. The term accurately describes what God has to say to the nation of Israel. This is because the Lord’s message will not be pleasant.

Most people do not like heavy messages from God. They skip over those Bible verses that cause discomfort. But burdensome words from the Lord are designed both to wound and to heal. The Bible offends because it speaks about our sin but it also instructs how we can be free from sin. It condemns sinners while offering clemency to the condemned.
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Do not avoid oracles of the Lord, especially those words which may speak to your sins. Embrace the hard messages from the Bible and obey its direction. God gives burdens to make us come to Him for help. All of the Almighty’s words to man come from His love for man.

*The Old Testament closes with the book of Malachi, a book which addresses widespread corruption within the Israelites. The corruption we read in this book reminds us of just how far sin reaches into even those called of God. Mankind is truly lost without the Lord.
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Written after the return of the Jews from Persian captivity, Malachi reveals great spiritual apathy in Israel. Although the walls of Jerusalem are restored and the temple rebuilt, the hearts of the people are dark. The Israelites have forgotten God’s great love for them (Malachi 1:2). The people offer unacceptable sacrifice to the Lord (Malachi 1:6-14). Priests neglect their duty to lead the people in righteousness (Malachi 2:1-9). Marriage among the people is dishonored (Malachi 2:10-16). Israel dishonors the holiness and justice of God (Malachi 2:17). Through their disobedience, the people disrupt the blessing God desires for
them (Malachi 3:6-12).
 
The Lord’s justice will not allow Israel’s sin to continue, and His love woos sinners to return to Him. The nation is reminded of coming judgment, and the people are called to repent. God reveals prophecy of the coming Lord who will condemn sin and purify the righteous (Malachi 3:1-5; 4:1-6).

Author
Malachi was the name of a person who ministered during the time of Nehemiah[1]. He wrote the book which bears his name somewhere around the end of 400 B.C. [2]

Canonicity
The New Testament considers Malachi as an inspired writing. We know this because it quotes the book several times as Scripture (Matthew 11:10; 17:12; Mark 9:11, 12; Luke 1:17; Romans 9:13).
After Malachi’s book, there was a four-hundred-year silence from God. That silence was broken with the arrival of John the Baptist[3].

Outline
I. God’s Undeniable Love (Malachi 1:1-5)
II. Tainted Worship (Malachi 1:6-14)
III. Corruption (Malachi 2:1-16)
IV. Wearying the Lord (Malachi 2:17-3:7)
V. Robbing God (Malachi 3:8-12)
VI. Arrogant Words (Malachi 3:13-15)
VII. The Book of Remembrance (Malachi 3:16-4:6)

[1] (McGee, 1981) 
[2] (Jamieson, 1871)
[3] (MacArthur, 2005)

Helpful Resources for Your Library*
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary: A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testameants.

MacArthu Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Thru the Bible with J. Vernon Mcgee. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

*Use Amazon to get these resources and support Creation Anew