This failure to fulfill the divine purpose was very apparent in Malachi's day. Sternly the Lord's messenger dealt with the evils that were robbing Israel of temporal prosperity and spiritual power. In his rebuke against transgressors the prophet spared neither priests nor people. "The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel" through Malachi was that the lessons of the past be not forgotten and that the covenant made by Jehovah with the house of Israel be kept with fidelity. Only by heartfelt repentance could the blessing of God be realized. "I pray you," the prophet pleaded, "beseech God that He will be gracious unto us." Malachi 1:1, 9.

På Malakias' tid var Israel meget langt fra det guddommelige mål. Herrens tjener gik strengt i rette med de onder, som berøvede Israel deres timelige velstand og åndelige kraft. Profeten sparede hverken præsterne eller folket, når han gik i rette med overtræderne. "Herrens ord til Israel ved Malakias" var, at de ikke måtte glemme, hvad de havde lært i fortiden, og at de trofast skulle holde den pagt, som Herren havde sluttet med Israels hus. Mal. 1,1. De kunne kun opnå Guds velsignelse ved at angre af hele deres hjerte.