Monday, April 14 – Malachi 3, 4
1. Against whom will the Lord be a witness in judgment? (Malachi 3:5)
2. In what way had the nation robbed God? (Malachi 3:9, 10)
3. Whom does God promise to rebuke when we are faithful in tithes and offerings? (Malachi 3:11)
4. For whom was a book of remembrance written before the Lord? (Malachi 3:16)
5. Whom will the Lord send again before His great day? (Malachi 4:5)
We are reading the book of the last prophet of the post-exilic period. Today, we conclude the book of Malachi, entering the intertestamental period, the time between the Old and New Testaments.
Malachi 3 contains important and beautiful prophecies and messages. In verse 1, the prophet presents John the Baptist in his role of precursor, as well as the coming of the Messiah. It announces that Jesus will come “suddenly” to His temple. The temple belongs to Him because it is the replica of His throne, and He is the central figure of its ceremonies and offerings. It speaks of Jesus as “the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight” (Malachi 3:1, NKJV). Haggai calls Him “the Desire of All Nations” (Haggai 2:7).
Then, in poetic prose, Malachi speaks of when the Lord will leave the temple for judgment. In verse 5, He lists those against whom He will testify: sorcerers, adulterers, those who defraud and lie, those who withhold fair wages, those who mistreat widows, orphans, and foreigners. When I read these lists in Scripture, where God condemns certain actions, I wonder if my concepts and priorities align with His. I suspect our list of “condemned people” might differ from His.
It is also revealing to see God’s concern for the disadvantaged. Time and again, He speaks of orphans, widows, and foreigners. Immigration is not a new issue; there have always been foreigners struggling to establish themselves in a new land. I believe that single parents surely hold a special place among God’s concerns.
The passage in chapter 3 about tithes and offerings is perhaps the most frequently read during Sabbath worship. Yet, it should not lose its power and brightness. The Lord invites us to test Him in faithfulness in tithes and offerings. This passage contains beautiful promises that we would do well to treasure: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10, NKJV).
The world is filled with injustice and problems, but God listens and has a book of remembrance written before Him for “those who fear Him and trust in His name.” He calls His people “My jewels” or “My special treasure” (Malachi 3:17, NKJV).
There will be a significant distinction between the righteous and the wicked on the day of the Lord. The wicked “shall be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, that will leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1, NKJV). This verse clearly describes the punishment of the lost, not an eternal burning fire, but utter destruction. It says they will be “ashes under the soles of your feet” (Malachi 4:3), an evident figure of speech.
How beautiful is the passage that speaks of the righteous! “But to you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” (Malachi 4:2, NKJV).
The book ends with the beautiful promise that before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, He will send Elijah again with a special mission, to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers.
Jesus called John the Baptist “Elijah.” In Malachi 4, Elijah represents the special work that the Holy Spirit will do in our days. Part of His work is to touch the hearts of children and bring them to reconciliation. Isn’t this a wonderful promise? Would you like to thank God for it?
Now, approximately 400 years of silence begins in Scripture. We will meet again in the Gospel accounts.
May God grant you a very blessed day with your loved ones.