Ezra 7
Nehemiah 1-2, 4, 6-8
Malachi 1-4

The last book of the Old Testament is called Malachi. Malachi, whose name literally translates to “my messenger”, was chosen by God to give words of direction to the people of Israel. 

Guess what happened again? The priests and people of Israel wandered away from their faith in God, continuing the trend of the entire Old Testament: Follow, wander away, follow, wander, follow, get distracted, yes to God, no I’m focusing on myself… again, and again, and again. 

God speaks to Isreal’s wandering through Malachi: He Says, “You show contempt, or disrespect, for my name, you rob me, you speak arrogantly against me… Listen, a day is coming that will burn like a furnace, or fire. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble. Not a root or branch will be left on them.” (Malachi 4:1-2)

Ouch. Judgement is going to be real, for all of us, not just for Israel. But, God isn’t just flaming fires and iron fists, God is a god of Love…

Malachi continues, “On the day when I act, says the Lord, those who feared the Lord, who honored his name, who love me, they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion on his son who serves him.” (Malachi 3:16-18).

Judgment is real for all of us! But God is gracious, filled with love, and wants a relationship with us. God’s words, the first appeared in the book of Deuteronomy stand true for Israel (and still for us today): “Therefore, you shall keep the commandment and the statutes and the judgments which I am commanding you today.” (Deut. 7:11) God is saying: follow and worship me. And that was it. 

Silence. 

It was silent for 400 years. God’s last words had a reminder of judgment but were filled with love. 

Can you imagine what the people of Israel were thinking after no Word from God came for hundreds of years? 

What would you feel if someone you loved didn’t talk to you for a long period of time?

Here is the really beautiful part of these 400 years of silence, although God didn’t speak, people were transcribing God’s Holy words to be passed on to the next generation! Malachi shared that this was important to God’s heart, “What does the one God seek? Godly offspring.” (Malachi 2:15) 

During this time, the Qumran community wrote down what are known as the Dead Sea Scrolls containing Isaiah, Psalms, Deuteronomy and other sacred writings. The Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament, was also transcribed and then used in the earliest churches on earth. Different languages, yet God’s Holy Word for the world to read and hear.

Just as God spoke through Malachi and those who believed passed on the written truth of God’s judgment and love, here’s something to think about as we transition into the New Testament:

What are you doing to pass on the Word of God to those around you?
How are you making God’s name known to the next generation?