Malachi 1:1-8 – Israel Beloved of God

God starts out in the final book of the Old Testament affirming His love for His people. After this book, there is a 400 year silence until the New Testament begins with the birth of John The Baptist. Malachi’s name means My Messenger, God sent him. Life was good in Jerusalem, however, God’s people had become complacent; the Temple had been built, and Jerusalem was back in business, but the message of Malachi was one of rebuke. People were just going through the motions of following God, but not sincerely after God. God would exhort them to seek spiritual renewal. This is a message for all of us in these days of challenge.