(May 30, 2025) Dr Jim McClure begins a series that is so relevant today!

The final book in the Old Testament was written by the prophet Malachi likely around 445 – 425 BC, about 100 years after the Jews had returned to Jerusalem from exile. He was likely a contemporary of Nehemiah, who as governor, oversaw the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

The prophet identified himself as Malachi which in Hebrew means ‘My Messenger.’ We know absolutely nothing about him as he is not mentioned anywhere else in the Old Testament. Some suggest that ‘Malachi’ was not the prophet’s name but a title given to him.  In fact, the only place in the Bible in which the name occurs is in the first verse in this prophecy.

However, the same Hebrew word is repeated in Malachi 3:1 in which God promised, ‘See, I will send my messenger who will prepare the way before me.’  Jesus quoted this verse in reference to John the Baptist, ‘This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you”’ (Matthew 11:10). 

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