My birthday is coming next week.  Last year when I turned thirty, I made a vow to read through the Bible in a year.  It’s easier said then done, but something I plan to do again this year.  I finished the Old Testament today with Malachi – the last prophet from God before Christ enters the scene.  The way I read through the Bible allowed me to read OT books that shared common people and places.  If you’re familiar with Malachi you know about 500 years before Christ, exiles from Israel returned to finish the temple encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah (both OT prophets you can read).  Around 457 B.C. Ezra the priest arrives with thousand more Jews to assist in the project.  Ezra was commissioned by King Artaxerxes of Persia (remember that name) to make sure the temple worship was developed and the Law of Moses was being obeyed (Ezra 7:17-26).

Just about twelve years after Ezra, King Artaxerxes sent his own cupbearer, Nehemiah back to supervise the building of the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 6:15).  He also implemented social and religious restoration. During Nehemiah’s absence, returning to the Persian King in 433 B.C. the Jews again fell into sin. When he returned he found that the tithe had been broken, the Sabbath profaned, intermarriage promoted and the priesthood corrupted. (Nehemiah 13:7-31) Malachi echo’s these sins in his writing.

Malachi is an eye opener for people.  Here are people who are playing dumb.  God is calling for them to be in or out, blessed or cursed.  Stop acting like you don’t know what you’re doing.  They are giving their leftovers to God and asking for His best. His message is an encouragement to discouraged and disillusioned people to not break with God.  It’s a motivation to faith and obedience.   There is a blessing reserved for those who don’t go through the motions (religion) but begin to do God’s will and love the Lord with all their being (inside and outside).

I liked Malachi over the other prophets because it was more logical than poetic — more like a legal defense than an oracle.

So my mission ends with Malachi and his message of faithfulness which is the basis of the New Testament as well.  It also ends with the promise of Elijah the prophet being sent to return community and judgment.  Elijah’s return is a recurring theme in the New Testament. 

I look forward to starting again in July!