Malachi’s message was designed to shake the people out of their complacency. Though Malachi’s words were sometimes harsh, the LORD did not send him to condemn the people. The whole purpose of Malachi’s ministry was to remind the people that God loved them (1:2), that God longed to bless them (3:10), and that what God desired was to restore them to a close relationship with himself (3:17). A key phrase for understanding the message of Malachi is the loving promise God makes in 3:7, “Return to me, and I will return to you.”