and people, judgment for sin, and blessing for righteousness One cannot help but observe that the Gospel of God has been the same message for sinners of all generations Features The most notable feature of this book is its repeated pattern of discourse.17 Three steps are involved (example is shown): A rmation (charge or accusation): “You are robbing Me” (3:8) Interrogation (introduced by “you say”): “But you say, ‘How have we robbed Thee?’” (3:8) Refutation (answer to the question): “In tithes and contributions” (3:8) The common repeated phrase in these discourses is “you say.” It appears eight times: 1:2,6,); 2:14,17; 3:7,8,13 Another feature of Malachi’s message is his strong emphasis on the Law of God (read 4:4) Also, the book surpasses all other prophetic books in the proportion of verses spoken by the Lord to Israel (forty-seven out of the total of fifty-five) The place of Malachi in the Bible canon Malachi is both a conclusion and a connecting link It concludes the story of Israel for the span of 2000-400 B.C., and it is the last prophetic voice of the Old Testament The book connects the Old Testament with the New Testament by its prophecies of John the Baptist and Christ’s rst advent Its “messianic ashes (3:1-6; 4:2) prepare us for the NT revelation and focus our attention on Him who alone is the world’s hope.”18 Beyond that, the book reaches into the end times when it prophesies about the nal day of the Lord (second advent) II SURVEY Chart 117 is a survey chart showing the general pattern and highlights of Malachi Study it carefully after you have scanned the entire book and have completed the other usual procedures of survey study Then follow the study suggestions given below (Always read the Bible passages which are cited.) The rst verse (1:1) is a typical introduction to the book The last paragraph (4:4-6) is not only a conclusion to the book, but also a tting conclusion to the whole Old Testament The rst half of the book (1:2—3:15) is mainly about sin What subjects does Malachi write about after 3:16? What bright prophecy appears at 3:1-6? Why you think this prophecy is mentioned in the middle of the section about the people’s sins? How does the chart compare the beginning and end of Malachi’s prophecy? Read the whole book again, following the chart’s outline as you read Try to justify the various outlines on the basis of the Bible text Note the key words and key verses shown on the chart Can you add to the list? ... on the Law of God (read 4:4) Also, the book surpasses all other prophetic books in the proportion of verses spoken by the Lord to Israel (forty-seven out of the total of fifty-five) The place of. .. in the Bible canon Malachi is both a conclusion and a connecting link It concludes the story of Israel for the span of 2000-400 B.C., and it is the last prophetic voice of the Old Testament The. .. alone is the world’s hope.”18 Beyond that, the book reaches into the end times when it prophesies about the nal day of the Lord (second advent) II SURVEY Chart 117 is a survey chart showing the general