God would set down the Babylonians and raise up the Persian King Cyrus who issued an edict for the remnant of God’s people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. By 537, the altar for sacrifices was rebuilt. By 536, Temple reconstruction began and was suspended after a short time. In 520BC, Haggai and Zechariah prophesied and the work continues and the Temple is completed in 516. In 458, Ezra the scribe visits and preaches the Word of God in Jerusalem. In 445, the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt through Nehemiah’s efforts. Although vulnerable, weak, and outnumbered as a vassal state within the vast Persian Empire, God is at work restoring His people. Through God’s lovingkindness or steadfast love, He is maintaining His promises to Israel. He has continued His pursuit of His people, yet they are not reciprocating His love.
It is at this point that God raised up the prophet Malachi. The LORD had stirred the hearts of the people through Haggai and Zechariah, yet the zeal of the people of God had waned, their worship became more formal than transformational, their hearts had become insensitive, and love became cold. It is through this message that God calls His people back to pure worship. This is the last message God would send to his people prior to 400 years of silence. No doubt this book would be looked back to as the last thundering of God from the Old Testament, but it reveals an intimate whisper of His love and indictments with the people of God. Today, the title will be “Never Doubt God’s Love.” We will discuss 1) The Redemptive Love of God is spoken 2) the Redemptive Love of God is shown and 3) The Redemptive Love of God is spread. |
