PRIESTS “HAVE CAUSED MANY TO STUMBLE”

(Malachi 1:1–2:17)

Jehovah expresses his feelings toward Israel, saying: “I have loved you people.” But the priests have despised God’s name. How? “By presenting upon [his] altar polluted bread” and by offering “a lame animal or a sick one” for sacrificing.​—Malachi 1:2, 6-8.

The priests “have caused many to stumble in the law.” The people “deal treacherously with one another.” Some have taken foreign wives. Others have dealt treacherously with “the wife of [their] youth.”​—Malachi 2:8, 10, 11, 14-16.

‘THE TRUE LORD WILL COME TO HIS TEMPLE’

(Malachi 3:1–4:6)

“Suddenly there will come to His temple the true Lord [Jehovah God]” with “the messenger of the covenant [Jesus Christ].” God “will come near to [his] people for the judgment” and become a speedy witness against all sorts of wrongdoers. Moreover, “a book of remembrance” is to be written up for those in fear of Jehovah.​—Malachi 3:1, 3, 5, 16.

The day that “is burning like the furnace” will come and will devour all the wicked. Before the coming of that day, a prophet will be sent to “turn the heart of fathers back toward sons, and the heart of sons back toward fathers.”​—Malachi 4:1, 5, 6.