A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi. Malachi 1:1
Malachi
was written 400 years before Jesus was born.
It was the last time God spoke to a prophet in Israel until John the
Baptist announced the Messiah’s coming.
Malachi
pointed out the discrepancies in the rebuilt Israel who returned one hundred
plus years before Malachi from exile in Persia/Babylon. The Israelites weren’t quite understanding
that they were repeating all the things that got them exiled in the first
place.
·
The offerings were
defiled. The sacrifices weren’t the best,
but the worst of the flock.
·
The priests weren’t
doing their job.
·
The people were marrying
foreign women and bringing foreign gods into the nation.
·
They weren’t showing
justice.
Despite their
disobedience, God showed mercy and promised to love them. He also promised to send a
messenger—Elijah—to refine them and guide them.
That messenger arrived 400 years later.
His name was John the Baptist and he prepared the way for Jesus Christ whom
he baptized.