Summary Author : Malachi Time : 430 B.C. Summary : Malachi’s message comes to the people in a time of great spiritual decline. It is approximately 80 years after the rebuilding of the temple and the promises of the coming Messiah have not yet been realised. As a result, the people had become lax and had an increasingly casual attitude toward God and worship. Malachi states that their sacrifices were unacceptable to God, husbands were unfaithful, and the priests had neglected God’s covenants. Key verse : " ‘See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before men. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,’ says the Lord Almighty" (3:1).

Outline 1. God's love for Israel affirmed 1:1–5 2. Israel's unfaithfulness rebuked 1:6 – 2:16 a) The unfaithful priests 1:6 – 2:9 b) The unfaithful people 2:10–16 3. The Lord's coming announced 2:17 – 4:6 a) The Lord will purify the priests and judge the people 2:17–3:5 b) A call to repentance 3:6–18 c) The day of the Lord announced 4:1–6 (RH)

Author – Malachi
Time – 500 to 475 B.C.

Summary – Malachi’s message comes to the people in a time of great spiritual decline. It is approximately eighty years after the rebuilding of the Temple, and the promises of the coming Messiah have not yet happened. As a result, the people had become lax and had an increasingly casual attitude toward God and worship. Malachi states that their sacrifices were unacceptable to God, husbands were unfaithful, and the priests had neglected God’s covenants.

An unholy nation – Chapter 1 v 1 to 14

A faithless priesthood – Chapter 2 v 1 to 10

A treacherous people – Chapter 2 v 11 to 16

A nation of robbers – Chapter 2 v 17 to 3 v 15

A faithful remnant to be vindicated – Chapter 3 v 16 to 4 v 6