How does the Old Testament end?

In Malachi 4:1-6, we reach the very last words of the Old Testament — and then God falls silent for some 400 years. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows how the Old Testament closes with both warning and hope.

Malachi describes a coming day of judgment that will burn up the proud like stubble, but for those who fear God’s name, “the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.” Dr. Holt explains that this points ahead to Jesus Christ — His first coming and His return. God also promises to send “Elijah,” whom Jesus later identifies as John the Baptist. After Malachi, heaven goes quiet until God speaks again through His Son — the calm before the greatest storm in history.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did God go silent for about 400 years after Malachi? Because He had said all that was needed until the coming of His Son. The long silence was the hush before God’s greatest act in Christ.

2. Who is the “Sun of Righteousness”? It is a picture of Jesus Christ, who rises with healing for His people. Malachi’s final hope points directly to the Savior.

3. Why did God promise to send “Elijah”? Jesus explained that this pointed to John the Baptist, who came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the Lord.

“But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.” — Malachi 4:2 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Malachi Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.