Malachi

Malachi was the last of the writing prophets of the Old Testament, ministering to the restored community in Jerusalem perhaps a century after the return — likely in the days of Nehemiah. After him came four hundred "silent years" until John the Baptist.

Confronting half-hearted worship

Malachi's book is structured as a series of disputes in which God charges the people and priests with going through the motions — offering blemished sacrifices, dealing treacherously in marriage, and robbing God in tithes. To the last, God answered, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse... and prove me now herewith... if I will not open you the windows of heaven" (Malachi 3:10).

The messenger to come

Most importantly, Malachi looked forward: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me" (Malachi 3:1), and promised the coming of "Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD" (Malachi 4:5) — words the New Testament applies to John the Baptist, who would announce the Messiah.