Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Malachi
Date Penned: (430 BC)
Overview: Confront Sinners to Restoration with God (c 1-4)
Theme: The Faithful Few (c 4)
Message: The Great Judgement Day of the Lord (v 1-5)
Malachi 4 Commentary
(4:1) At the day of judgement, God's wrath toward the wicked will be like the blasting heat of an oven but he will be like the healing warmth of the sun to those who love and obey him. John the Baptist prophesied that with the coming of Jesus the dawn was about to break with light for those in sin's darkness (Luke 1) In Isaiah 60 and Revelation 21 we learn that no light will be needed in God's holy city because God himself will be the light.
(4:2) These last verses of the Old Testament are filled with hope. Regardless of how life looks now. God controls the future and everything will be made right. We who have loved and served God look forward to a joyful celebration. This hope for the future is ours as soon as we trust God with our lives.
(4:4) These laws, given to Moses on the Mount Horeb (Sinai) are the foundation of the nation's civil, moral, and ceremonial life (Exodus 20) We still must obey these moral laws for they apply to all generations.
(4:5) Elijah was one of the greatest prophets who ever lived (1 Kings 17) With Malachi's death, the voice of God's prophets would be silent for 400 years. Then a prophet would come, like Elijah, to herald Christ's coming (Matthew 17) This prophet was John the Baptist. He prepared people's hearts for Jesus by urging people to repent of their sins. This would bring unity and peace, but also judgement on those who refused to turn from their sins.
(4:6) Malachi gives us practical guidelines about commitment to God. God deserves the best we have to offer. We must be willing to change our wrong way of living. We should make family a lifelong priority. We should tithe our income. There is no room for pride. Malachi closes his messages by pointing to that great final day of judgement. For those who are committed to God, it will be a day of joy because it will usher in eternity in God's presence. Those who have ignored God will "be stubble" to be burned up. To help the people prepare for that day, God would send a prophet like Elijah (John the Baptist) who would prepare the way for Jesus, the Messiah, The New Testament begins with this prophet calling the people to turn from their sins and turn toward God. Such a commitment to God demands great sacrifice on our part, but we can be sure it will be worth it all in the end.
β
β
β
β
β
β
β
β