Malachi

The word Malachi means my messenger. The Lord spoke clearly through him to show the spiritual condition of His people. Their worship through their offerings were not acceptable. He uses the example of Jacob and Esau. Jacob's offering was given in the right spirit and his offering was a reflection of His honor to God. They were giving the blemished, blind and crippled sheep. There was no sacrifice involved in that and it showed they loved themselves more than God.

In chapter 2 we see how seriously God takes the way we carry out His assignment. We are to lead others in the way of the Lord and not compromise His ways to please those around us. We will end up calling evil good and not understand the blessings of rightly dividing truth. We will end up with something short of genuine in our spiritual life and we and ultimately our church will not reflect God's image and we will end up worshiping a God that does not exist. Keeping the assignment pure will affect everything in our life.

In chapter 3 we see this is His way preparing God's people for the coming of the Lord. He will send one to prepare the way (John the Baptist). The Lord will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. They did not listen and could not accept Jesus' teaching because it was different than theirs. Here is what He says about the ones who listen:
Verse 17 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

In chapter 4 we see the consequences of sin for the arrogant and evildoer. We also see the joy of those who revere His name. He promises to prepare them for that day by sending Elijah who was called John the Baptist in the New Testament. He says the day of the Lord will be great and dreadful - Dreadful to those walking in disobedience and great to those walking in His ways. Let's be among those who can rejoice in His presence.