The prophet Malachi ministered to the Jews who returned from exile. In 586 B.C., Jerusalem was utterly destroyed (see Lamentations), and the final deportations of captives were taken to Babylon. Some captives (about 50,000) began to return under the leadership of Zerubbabel (see Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah). However, the 70-year captivity was not over until the temple was rebuilt and worship resumed in Jerusalem, in 516 B.C. (see 1Ki 8:46–53; Jer 32:36–37; Dan 6:1–17). Many of the sins cited by Malachi were already prominent in the time of Nehemiah (cf. Nehemiah 13) and were corrected by his reforms.
These notes are from the February 2011 conference on Malachi held in Florida.
Malachi – The Choice of a Nation – Florida 2011
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Faith of an individual and election of them by God come together at the point of salvation (Tit 1:1). Christ's mission (Luk 19:10) was "seek and save the lost" (Mat 28:19-20). Grace means God's unmerited favor to those not worthy. God's purpose in election is organization. Greek "eklektos" means to "call out". Error is to assume that "chosen ones" have merit. We share in Christ's election (Eph 1:6). Peter writes to those "scattered" by persecution - meaning seeds being sown (Act 8:4, 1Pe 1:1-2). "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God". Election is a divine undertaking of the Father's plan (foreknowledge - Rom 8:29), and Spirit's work. We share His holiness (2Co 5:21, 1Pe 1:15-16) -- we are elect, given election by our belief. Jesus Christ was treated horribly, but was God's choice (1Pe 2:4-5). "Coming to Him..." we become a "living stone, elect and precious". God's choice is His Son; our choice is Christ; we share union; we are chosen (1Pe 2:6-8). Election involves 3 things (1Pe 2:9-10): (1) salvation; (2) privilege; (3) service.