Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.2/10

A clear aid for preaching Malachi’s searching rebukes with gospel shaped hope.

Publication Date(s): 2018

Pages: 800

ISBN: 978-1433546525

Faithfulness to the Text: 8.1/10

We find Eric Ortlund careful with Malachi’s disputation structure, keeping interpretation grounded in the book’s own logic.

Christ Centredness: 8.2/10

We are helped to connect the hope of the Lord’s coming to the fulfilment we see in Christ, without rushing past the prophet.

Depth of Insight: 8/10

We gain solid help with key themes and repeated questions, including how the book confronts spiritual weariness.

Clarity of Writing: 8.3/10

The writing is clear and well paced, supporting quick use in sermon preparation.

Pastoral Usefulness: 8.3/10

The commentary gives helpful routes to application, especially on worship, integrity, and covenant faithfulness.

Readability: 8.2/10

It reads smoothly, with an accessible tone that invites repeated use.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: 800 pages
Type: Expository (Mid-Level)
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 8.2 / 10
Strength: Strong handling of the book’s argument, with practical routes to faithful application.
Limitation: Those wanting extensive technical interaction on background matters may want a specialist work.

In Malachi, ESV Expository Commentary, Eric Ortlund helps us preach the Lord’s searching questions to a weary and cynical people. He shows how Malachi exposes cold worship and careless faithfulness, while holding out the hope of the Lord’s coming. Volume 7.

We are helped to follow the disputation structure, so each section lands with its intended force and clarity.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this volume when we want help preaching repentance without harshness. The exposition keeps us in the text, and it helps us address half hearted religion with both seriousness and patience.

The commentary is also useful for linking themes across Scripture. We are helped to see how priesthood, covenant faithfulness, and the promised messenger function within the book’s argument.

For pastoral ministry, it gives us language for calling the church to integrity, especially in worship and everyday obedience.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend Malachi, ESV Expository Commentary for pastors and teachers who want a mid level companion that supports clear, corrective preaching with real hope. It will serve us well when we want to press Malachi’s call home, and to lift our eyes to the Lord who comes to purify and to save.

As pastoral next steps, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working library.

Where to buy

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