THE MESSAGE OF THE BOOK OF MALACHI is authoritative for it is the Word of the living God (1:1). It is urgent because it expresses a burden. It is condemnatory since it deals with the grievous conduct of the people. It is brief but incisive, pungent and provocative, cautionary and corrective. It reveals the love and patience of the Lord God, the faithfulness of the prophet and the stolid indifference of the nation. The basic spiritual conditions presented in Malachi characterize the period just prior to the first advent of the Lord. These conditions bear a striking resemblance to those which are said to prevail previous to His second coming, giving current significance to the message. The framework of the presentation is built around seven sad indignities which the people heaped upon the Lord God. - They questioned His love (1:2). - They corrupted His worship (1:7). - They profaned His name (1:12). - They refused His entreaties (3:7). - They robbed His treasury (3:8). - They denied His sovereignty (3:12). - They rejected His Word (3:14) - They were ignoring the coming of Messiah (4:2). This is unbelief in its fullest manifestation. This is rebellion in its ultimate provocation. "Ye say," "ye said," and "ye have said" occur thirteen times.