The Book of Malachi

The Book of Malachi is a short book found near the end of the Old Testament. It was written after the people returned from exile in Babylon. It is short, only four chapters long, but it gives an important message. Malachi is a prophet who speaks to the people of Israel after they returned from exile. Life is not what they hoped it would be. The temple has been rebuilt, but the people are discouraged.

God speaks through Malachi to remind the people of His love. But the people question this. They ask, “How have you loved us?” God points to how He has cared for them and protected them. He also warns the priests and leaders. They are not honoring God with their worship. They offer poor sacrifices and do not teach well.

Malachi also talks about justice. The people are being dishonest. Some are cheating others or ignoring those in need. God promises that a messenger will come. This person will prepare the way for the Lord. Christians later see this as a sign pointing to John the Baptist.

The book ends with a warning and a hope. God says He will come and set things right. But first, He sends Elijah the prophet to get the people ready. After this message, there are no more prophets until John the Baptist. Malachi’s words are the final call to stay faithful and watch for what God will do next.

The Book of Malachi was written after the Jewish people came back from exile in Babylon. They had returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple. But things were still hard. The people were tired and disappointed. Their land was poor, and life felt unfair. They thought God had forgotten them.

Malachi’s name means “my messenger.” We don’t know if that was his real name or just a title. The book does not tell us much about him. Some think “Malachi” might not be a personal name but a way to say that he is speaking for God.

This message likely came around the same time as Ezra and Nehemiah. The problems mentioned in the book match that time. People were breaking the law. The priests were careless. Many had stopped trusting in God’s promises.

God used Malachi to remind the people that He still sees and cares. He called the people and the priests to return to Him. He also promised to send a messenger in the future who would prepare the way for the Lord.

The Book of Malachi has a special way of speaking. It uses a back-and-forth style, like a conversation. God speaks. Then the people respond with a question. God answers them. This happens again and again. It feels like a parent talking with a child who keeps asking, “Why?”

There are several of these short talks in the book. God says something true. The people doubt it. Then God explains more. This style helps us understand what the people were thinking. It also shows how patient God is with His people.

Malachi uses strong images. He talks about dirty altars, stolen offerings, and the heat of a fire. These pictures help the reader see what is wrong and what God wants to change. The book is short, but the words are sharp and clear.

This way of writing makes Malachi easy to follow. It also makes the message stick in our minds. It shows that God listens, even when His people complain or question Him.

The Book of Malachi speaks about many things that still matter to us as Catholics. It reminds us how easy it is to grow lazy in faith. It also calls us to honor God with our actions, not just our words.

• Faithfulness in Worship
  The people were offering poor sacrifices. The priests were careless. Malachi reminds us that worship should be done with care and love. The Mass is our highest prayer. We should take it seriously.
• Honoring Marriage
  Malachi speaks against divorce and broken promises. Marriage is a covenant. Catholics see it as a holy bond. God wants husbands and wives to be faithful to each other.
• Justice and Care for Others
  The people were cheating workers and ignoring the poor. Malachi calls this out. The Church teaches that we must care for the poor and treat others with fairness.
• The Coming of the Lord
  Malachi speaks about a messenger who will prepare the way. Catholics see this as a sign of John the Baptist, who came before Jesus. This reminds us to be ready for Christ to come again.

Malachi may be short, but the message is strong. It tells us to live with faith, honesty, and hope.

The Book of Malachi is short, but it is full of meaning. It has one main message: return to God. The book is made up of several parts. Each section begins with a message from God. Then the people ask questions. God answers clearly. Here is a simple way to see the main parts:

• God’s Love Questioned (Malachi 1:1–5)
  God tells the people that He loves them. But they ask, “How?” God reminds them of His care and their history.
• Warnings to the Priests (Malachi 1:6–2:9)
  The priests are not offering good sacrifices. They are not honoring God. God tells them to change their ways.
• Faithfulness in Marriage (Malachi 2:10–16)
  People are breaking promises. Husbands are leaving their wives. God says this is wrong and calls for faithfulness.
• The Day of the Lord (Malachi 2:17–3:5)
  The people ask why God lets bad things happen. God says a messenger is coming. He will make things right.
• Tithes and Blessings (Malachi 3:6–12)
  The people are not giving their full offerings. God says to trust Him and give what is right.
• The Book of Remembrance (Malachi 3:13–4:3)
  Some people still honor God. God sees them. He promises to bless them and protect them on the day of judgment.
• Final Words and Promise (Malachi 4:4–6)
  The book ends with a call to remember the law of Moses. God promises to send Elijah before the great day of the Lord.

These sections help us follow the message of Malachi. They show both warning and hope.

Even though the Book of Malachi was written long ago, its message still fits our lives. People today have many of the same struggles. We sometimes get tired in our faith. We forget to put God first. We take shortcuts or go through the motions.

Malachi reminds us to honor God with what we offer—our time, our prayers, and how we treat others. Worship should come from the heart, not just habit. The book also calls us to be fair, to keep our promises, and to care for those in need.

Malachi tells us to look ahead. God says He will send a messenger to prepare the way. As Catholics, we believe this points to Jesus. We still wait for His return. Just like the people back then, we are called to stay ready.

This short book is a wake-up call. It asks us to check our hearts, our choices, and our hope. The message still matters today.

The Book of Malachi shows up a few times in the Catholic lectionary. It is usually read when the Church wants to remind us about faithfulness, judgment, and hope. These readings often come near the end of the liturgical year or during Advent, when we think about the coming of Christ.

One passage talks about the day of the Lord, when the proud will fall and the faithful will be healed. Another reminds us to respect God with our actions and not just with words. These messages fit well with the themes of waiting, watching, and turning back to God.

Malachi is also linked to John the Baptist. His words about a coming messenger help prepare us for the Gospel. When we hear these readings at Mass, we are reminded to stay ready and to keep our hearts open.

Even though Malachi is short, the Church includes it for a reason. The message still fits today.

Click on a link below for more information and resources for a specific reading.

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Leaders Must Lead with Honor

In Malachi 1:14B–2:2B, 8–10, God speaks strongly to the priests. They were supposed to teach truth and help the people stay close to God. Instead, they led others away. They offered weak sacrifices and did not respect God’s name. Because of this, God warns them. He says He will take away their blessings if they do not change.

This reading reminds us that leaders must act with care. God expects them to guide people with truth and love. It also reminds all of us that we are part of one family under God. When we break faith with each other, we hurt more than ourselves. We weaken the whole community.

The Presentation of the Lord

A Messenger to Prepare the Way

In Malachi 3:1–4, God promises to send a messenger who will prepare the way before Him. This messenger will clean and purify, like fire or soap. He will help the people and the priests return to proper worship. God will come to His temple, and the offerings will again be pleasing.

This reading reminds us to get ready. It points to John the Baptist, who came before Jesus. It also invites us to look at our own lives. Are we living the way God wants? Are we ready to meet Him? The message is clear—God is coming, so be prepared.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

A Day of Justice and Healing

In Malachi 3:19–20A, God speaks about a coming day of judgment. On that day, the proud and the wicked will be punished. Nothing evil will remain. It will be a day of fire that clears away all wrong.

But for those who respect and trust God, it will be a day of healing. They will feel like the sun rising with light and warmth. This reading gives a strong warning but also offers hope. God will make things right, and those who stay faithful will be blessed.

---

Selections from the Book of Malachi are also read at weekday Masses:

• Thursday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time I – Malachi 3:13-20b: The Day of the Lord’s Justice
• Advent Weekday on December 23 – Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24: The Coming of the Lord

God’s Messenger and the People’s Response

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz talks about the Book of Malachi, chapters 1 through 4. He explains that the name Malachi means “my messenger,” and this prophet speaks at the same time as Ezra and Nehemiah. Malachi tells the people what they are doing wrong and shows how they argue with God instead of trusting Him.

Fr. Mike points out that God says, “I have loved you,” but the people ask, “How have you loved us?” He says the people ignore all the ways God has blessed them. They bring poor offerings, ignore the Sabbath, and do not honor marriage. Even the priests fail to lead well.

Fr. Mike highlights chapter 2, where God says, “I hate divorce,” and reminds the people that marriage is a covenant. He also connects this to modern times, where people often say evil is good and wonder where justice is. Fr. Mike calls this attitude “moralistic therapeutic deism,” where God is seen as nice but not involved.

He ends by focusing on chapter 3, which speaks about John the Baptist, and chapter 4, which tells of the day of the Lord. Fr. Mike says these chapters show Jesus is coming again. God wants us to be ready, to love one another, and to keep His commands.

The Bible

The Book of Malachi is just one part of the Bible, but it gives us a lot to think about. If you want to understand how it fits with the rest of Scripture, there are simple ways to start.

Take a look at our page about Understanding the Bible. It explains the Bible in easy terms. You’ll find help for reading, learning, and growing in faith.

Who wrote the Book of Malachi?

We do not know for sure. The name “Malachi” means “my messenger.” It may be a title, not a personal name. But the message is clear and comes from God.

When was Malachi written?

It was written after the people of Israel returned from exile in Babylon. The temple was rebuilt, but many were unhappy and losing hope.

What is the main message of Malachi?

God wants His people to return to Him. He asks for true worship, honest living, and trust in His promises.

Who is the messenger in Malachi?

Catholics believe the messenger points to John the Baptist. He came to prepare people for the coming of Jesus.

What can we learn from Malachi today?

We learn to worship with care, treat others fairly, and stay ready for Jesus.

The Book of Malachi was written after the Jewish people came back from exile in Babylon. They had rebuilt the temple, but life was still hard. People were discouraged, and many stopped trusting God. Worship became lazy, and promises were being broken.

Malachi speaks on God’s behalf. He reminds the priests to honor their duties. He warns the people not to cheat or forget the poor. God sees their actions and calls them to change.

The book also gives hope. Malachi says a messenger will come to prepare the way for the Lord. Catholics believe this refers to John the Baptist, who comes before Jesus. The book points forward to God’s next step in the story.

Malachi’s message is short but clear. Stay faithful. Be honest. Keep watch.

Have you read the Book of Malachi? It is short and easy to read, but it gives a strong message. It reminds us to live with care, to worship with truth, and to wait with hope.

Take a few minutes to read Malachi. Then let us know what stood out to you. Share your thoughts in the comments. What part spoke to you most?