Prophet Malachi

Life

Malachi was the last of the prophets in time. Malachi was born after the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity. Malachi was unusually handsome in face. According to tradition, the people called Malachi an angel, perhaps because of his outward beauty or because of his spiritual purity, or perhaps because of his fellowship with the angel of God. Malachi often spoke with the angel face to face. When this happened, some others also heard the angelic voice, but they were not deemed worthy to see the angelic face. What the angel announced to Malachi, the young prophet also prophesied. Malachi cried out against ungrateful Israel and against lawless priests. Five hundred years before Christ Malachi clearly foretold the appearance and ministry of John the Baptist. But mainly, Malachi is the prophet of the day of the Dread Judgment. Malachi presented himself to God in his youth and after him there were no more prophets in Israel until John the Baptist.

From the Hymn of Praise

Malachi announces what the angel tells him:"A day, a day, O a day comes! A day that burns like a furnace.Who shall endure it? Who shall stand?Who with his own righteousness shall stand before the Judge?