Recently I have been studying the prophecy of Malachi. Malachi is widely understood to have been the last prophet of Old Testament times.

From the time of Malachi to the beginning of New Testament times, there was no prophet speaking to the people of Israel. Malachi had a unique perspective and message.

What would he say today?

Based on the teaching of the prophecy of Malachi, this prophet would say these things to us today.

First, we must perform God’s plans according to God’s way.

When you read the Old Testament, it becomes clear that it is important to do what God says and to do it according to God’s way. God is concerned with our attitudes and actions. He looks at the motivation of our hearts and calls us to a deep and growing faith in Him.

God is concerned with what we do and how we do it.

Second, Malachi would tell us that the condition of your heart matters immensely. For example, he talked about offering sacrifices in the temple. The people in Malachi’s today offered sacrifices but not from hearts devoted to God. God wants our hearts to be given completely and fully to God. He wants us to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Third, Malachi would remind us how much our marriage faithfulness means to God and to society. The prophet reminded the people of his day of the covenant relationship with their wives.

Malachi showed us how much God hates divorce and how much God loves covenant faithfulness.

If Malachi grieved over the marriages of his day, what would he say about marriage in our day?

Fourth, Malachi would emphasize the importance for God’s people to repent of their sins and turn their hearts back to God. He spoke of the day when Elijah would come and he would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers, a sure sign of devotion to God.

Finally, Malachi would point us to the fulfillment of his prophecy of 460 BC. He would show us how Jesus perfectly fulfilled Malachi 3 and 4.

Malachi would tell us that Jesus is the only hope for wayward and lost society. He would encourage us to accept Him, love Him, and give our lives whole heartedly to Him.