Malachi

God declares His love for Israel but they question it: How have you loved us? God contrasts Jacob (loved) with Esau (Edom, rejected). The priests dishonor God by offering blind and lame sacrifices — try giving that to your governor, God challenges.

God curses the priests for breaking the covenant of Levi. He condemns divorce — I hate divorce, says the Lord — because they are breaking faith with the wives of their youth. They have wearied God by calling evil good and asking where is the God of justice?

God will send His messenger to prepare the way — fulfilled by John the Baptist. Then the Lord will suddenly come to His temple. God challenges: return to Me and I will return to you. Bring the full tithe and test Me — I will open heaven's floodgates of blessing. I the Lord do not change — therefore you are not consumed.

The day is coming, burning like a furnace — but for those who fear God's name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. God will send Elijah the prophet before the great day, who will turn fathers' hearts to children. The Old Testament closes looking forward to the Messiah's forerunner.