The Book of Malachi: A Short Book with a Big Message

I love the book of Malachi. It’s short—just four chapters in most Bibles—but there’s so much to glean from. Yet, I’ve rarely heard it preached beyond Malachi 3:8–11, the famous “tithing” passage. It would be refreshing to hear the entire book taught faithfully.

Interestingly, the original Hebrew Bible only includes three chapters. What we know as Malachi 4 is actually the other half of chapter 3 in the Hebrew text. Nothing is missing or added, it’s just formatted differently.

Corrupt Offerings and the Heart Behind Them

Malachi opens with a reminder of God’s love for Jacob (Israel), but it quickly transitions into rebuke and warning toward the priests. They’ve fallen into grave sin and hypocrisy. The people had begun offering defiled sacrifices: lame, blind, and sick animals. They held back the best for themselves and brought God what they wouldn’t even serve a governor or guest of honor.

We read this book aloud as a family and talked about it with our kids. One analogy we used: when we attend a Sabbath gathering, bring a meal to a potluck, or cook for someone in need, we don’t serve expired food, old leftovers, or roadkill. No—we pick out our best recipes, quality meat, fresh-milled grain, and pour time and love into it. Shouldn’t we do at least that much for the Lord?

It reminded us of Cain and Abel—Abel brought the better sacrifice. And yet in Malachi, not only were the people bringing defiled offerings, but the priests were accepting them! That’s what makes it worse. They were complicit in dishonoring God. In turn, they were misleading the people.

Leadership Matters: When Priests Stumble, So Do the People

“You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

The priests had become corrupt. They departed from the law, showed partiality, and caused others to stumble. Ouch. Scripture says those who teach will be judged more strictly—and with good reason. Congregations rise and fall on the integrity of their leaders. The Levitical priests broke their covenant, dealt treacherously with one another, and began saying things like, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them”

That sounds all too familiar. How many modern pastors avoid calling out habitual sin or urging their congregations to repentance, instead defaulting to, “Well, God loves everyone”? Yes, God is love—but He is also holy, and He calls us to pursue holiness through the process of sanctification.

Malachi 3: More Than a Tithing Passage

By chapter 3, we’re introduced to a coming purifier who will refine His people like fire. It’s both a warning and an invitation—to return to the Lord before He draws near for judgment. Malachi 3:1–5 lists those under judgment: sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, those who exploit wage earners, widows, and orphans, those who turn away the foreigner, and all who do not fear the Lord.

One verse I absolutely love is Malachi 3:6: “For I the Lord do not change.” It ties beautifully to Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” It’s a powerful reminder—Jesus is God, and He does not change.

This chapter also includes the more familiar passage on tithing. God rebukes the people for robbing Him—not only through poor sacrifices, but by withholding their tithes and offerings. In this agrarian society, tithes were primarily produce and grain. Because they withheld what was rightfully God’s, they were under a curse.

And yet—this is the only time in Scripture where God says, “Test Me.” “Bring the full tithe… and see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you” (Malachi 3:10). That part is often quoted, especially before the offering plate is passed. I’ve even heard a sermon where the Pastor encouraged people to bring their gold, stocks, and bonds—promising the blessing that comes with obedience.

Let me be clear: I’m not opposed to giving. I absolutely believe we’re called to give generously and purposefully—not under compulsion, but cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6–7). Still, I’ve heard Malachi 3:8–10 taught many times, but rarely have I heard anyone continue on and teach the rest of the book.

The Law, the Whole Law, and Mixed Messages in the Church

“Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.” Malachi 4:4

If we’re asked to uphold one part of the law like tithing, based on Malachi 3, are we not responsible to remember the law as directed in Malachi 4. James 2:10 reminds us that if we break one part, we’re guilty of all. That’s why we need Jesus! His blood covers our inevitable failures. But that doesn’t mean we go on sinning willfully. Romans 3:31 says, “Do we then nullify the law through faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.”

This is where I see some inconsistency in the modern church. We’re told that tithing (an Old Testament law) is still relevant—even though it’s not repeated in the New Testament—but Sabbath-keeping (which is one of the Ten Commandments) is dismissed because it’s not explicitly repeated as a command in the New Testament. This kind of cherry-picking leaves people confused.

Final Warnings and the Coming Day of the Lord

By the end of the book, the people had grown arrogant. They said it was pointless to serve God—that it brought no benefit. But Malachi reminds us of a book of remembrance, written for those who fear the Lord and meditate on His name. These are the ones God will spare.

The final verses of the final book of the Old Testament are sobering. They speak of a future “great and terrible day of the Lord,” when the arrogant and wicked will be burned like chaff. Yet those who fear God will be protected.

Malachi ends by reminding the people to remember the Law of Moses and by prophesying the return of Elijah before the Messiah comes. This is why some believed Jesus was Elijah, or that John the Baptist fulfilled that role. Elijah appeared at the transfiguration. We are now closer than ever to that great and terrible day.

A Period of Silence—and Then, Our Savior

After Malachi, there is a 400-year silence. No prophets. No new revelation. Just silence—until John the Baptist begins preparing the way for Jesus. And in Matthew 5, Jesus says clearly: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

His first coming was to purify. His second will be in judgment.

And that, friends, is why the book of Malachi matters. It’s not just about tithes—it’s about honoring God, bringing our best, walking in reverent fear, and recognizing the weight of leadership and responsibility in God’s kingdom.