MALACHI'S ARGUMENT
Surrounded by hostile neighbors, plagued by drought and bad crops, the people of Israel wondered if God really loved them. Malachi appears at that moment in history and assures them that God does indeed care and that a remnant will survive until the Messiah comes. Unique in style, this last Old Testament book summarizes Israel's sins, calls them to further repentance, and points to the coming Savior.Malachi uses a dialectic style to get his message across. He makes a statement, lets the people offer their objection, and then gives the rebuttal. Each is introduced by "But you say." There are seven specific accusations against Israel made in this assertion-objection-rebuttal form: (1) They lacked love for God. (2) They had despised God's name. (3) Judah had been faithless. (4) They had wearied God with their empty words. (5) They had turned aside from God's laws. (6) They had robbed God of tithes and offerings. (7) Their words had been stout against God.
Man has not changed much over the years since Malachi.
The Old Testament opened with man in the garden, free from sin and happy in his Creator. It closes with fallen man, miserable, unhappy, and under a curse. Had the Bible closed on that scene, we would be living in a dark and despairing world. However, thank God, there is a New Testament that tells of a Savior Who redeems mankind unto Himself. The miserable failures of man are erased by a loving Christ. Thank God our Bible does not end at Malachi!
“Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.”
Malachi 3:16 NLT
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