'He shall prepare the way'

Malachi is the last of the prophets, the closing words (Mal. 4:5,6)

making a direct link with the advent of John the Baptist.  The name Malachi

means 'My messenger' (Mal. 3:1).  Malachi is designated by the Rabbins, 'The

seal of the prophets', and from the close of the Hebrew canon until 'the

voice crying in the wilderness' the prophetic gift appears to have been

It is noteworthy that Malachi's prophecy is addressed 'to Israel', even

though the ten tribes had been taken captive long before, for the returned

remnant under Ezra and Nehemiah are also called 'Israel', where those who

believe 'British -Israel' teaching would correct us and speak only of 'Jews'.

(See Part 8).  Jerusalem is once more inhabited (Mal. 2:11), but the

'governor' (Mal. 1:8) still bears the name peshah (pasha), a name taken from

the Persians.  The temple is rebuilt (3:1), the altar standing (1:7) and the

ritual performed (1:13,14).

The prophecy of Malachi falls into four parts:

Proved, but questioned.

'Ye have wearied the Lord'.

to 4:3

'Behold the day cometh'.

-6

'I will send'.

The prophecy opens with an appeal to Israel to consider the love that

had been shown to them.  This is demonstrated by the conditions then

obtaining, for while Jerusalem had been delivered and restored, Esau's (or

Edom's) territory was still 'waste'.

The words, 'I hated Esau' do not refer to Esau the individual but to

his descendants.  'Two Nations' are the subject of the prophetic utterance of

Genesis 25:23, and there is no statement in Genesis that would lead one to

think that Esau himself ever suffered as Malachi 1:3 indicates, but, on the

contrary, we learn that he became prosperous and wealthy though a 'profane

The impudent rejoinder 'wherein hast Thou loved us?' (Mal. 1:2)

is evidently characteristic for something similar occurs six times.  The

references are:

ye

say, Wherein hast Thou loved us?' (1:2).

ye

say, Wherein have we despised Thy name?' (1:6).

ye

say, Wherein have we polluted Thee?' (1:7).

ye

say, Wherein have we wearied Him?' (2:17).

ye

said, Wherein shall we return?' (3:7).

ye

say, Wherein have we robbed Thee?' (3:8).

To this list can be added such phrases as 'Yet ye say, Wherefore?'

(2:14); and 'Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against Thee?' (3:13).

Here is evidence of hardness of heart and non -repentance.  With this in

mind, the word 'repent' uttered by John the Baptist and by the Lord at the

commencement of their public ministry, takes a deeper significance, and