Dragons!
Malachi 1:3 is one of the few Biblical places where the mythical dragon is mentioned in the King James Bible! The KJV references these beasts 22 times in the Old Testament and 13 times in the New Testament for a total of 35. Scriptural reference to other mythical beasts includes behemoths, cockatrices, the phoenix bird, satyrs and even unicorns!
[Mythical Animals in the Bible]
Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness (Malachi 1:2 - 3).
The Bible describes dragons as an animal that is poisonous (Deuteronomy 32:33) and which can either live in the sea (Isaiah 27:1, Psalm 148:7) or land (Isaiah 35:7, Jeremiah 9:11, 10:22).
Dragons are additionally solitary beasts (Job 30:29) who can make a wailing sound (Micah 1:8). The power of the dragon should not be underestimated (Isaiah 51:9) as they can swallow up their prey (Jeremiah 51:34).
Prophecies
There are several profound prophecies recorded in the book of Malachi!
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts (Malachi 1:11).
[Why Study Biblical Prophecy?]
The above verse is alluded to in Matthew 8:11. It predicted that the gospel would eventually be preached among the Gentiles (non-Israelites) for God's glory. The Apostle Paul, and many others, began to fulfill this still ongoing prophecy in the first century A.D. (see Acts 9:15, 11:1, 18, etc.).
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me . . .
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet . . . And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse (Malachi 3:1, 4:5 - 6).
[The Life of Elijah the Prophet]
The above prophecies were fulfilled in the life and ministry of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1 - 2, 11:10, 17:10 - 11, Mark 1:2, 9:11, Luke 1:16 - 17, 7:27 and John 1:6).
. . . and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts (Malachi 3:1).
The "messenger of the covenant" is a direct reference to Jesus. He appeared suddenly at Jerusalem's temple during the first Passover of his ministry in April 27 A.D. His first act was to toss out all the money changers who were ripping off those coming to God's house for prayer and worship!
Malachi 3:1 also reveals one of the primary reasons Jesus was born. The Lord came into the world as a human so that he could personally offer and establish a New Covenant with mankind (Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 8:6, 10, 9:15, etc.).
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver . . .
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up . . . (Malachi 3:3, 4:1).
The above verses, which are referenced in Matthew 3:12, are yet to be fulfilled.
New Testament References
Other than Malachi's prophetic pronouncements listed above, he is referenced or alluded to a few times in the New Testament.
Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau . . . (Malachi 1:2).
The above verse is quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:13.
A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honor? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts . . . (Malachi 1:6).
The above verse is referenced in Matthew 23:9 and Luke 6:46.
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John (Matthew 11:13).
[Timeline of Old Testament Books]
[Why Did John the Baptist Doubt Jesus?]
Malachi was not only the last writer of an Old Testament book, he was also the last Old Testament prophet before the coming of John the Baptist.
Time Span
Malachi is listed as the last Old Testament book in the King James Bible. Between the time that he wrote, and the time of the first New Testament writing (Gospel of Matthew in 35 A.D.) is a period of (inclusively) 435 years. The time between Malachi and the last book written in the New Testament, the book of Revelation, is around 495 to 496 years.
Names and Titles of Jesus
The book of Malachi mentions two of the many names and titles the Bible applies to Jesus Christ. The first is "the messenger of the covenant" listed above in Malachi 3:1. The second is "the sun of righteousness."
But unto you that fear my name shall THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall (Malachi 4:2).
Jewels
The only time the Lord calls those who believe in him "jewels" is found in Malachi 3.
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him (Malachi 3:16 - 17).