Artwork by Douglas Kallerson.
Malachi 4:1-6
The Day is Coming
(Typed 28 October 2024) The book of Malachi and the Old Testament canon are complete with these verses in Malachi. Right at the very beginning, God set forth a plan that has been slowly and methodically worked out in the course of human history.
Much of it is centered on Israel. We might ask, “Why Israel?” But the same question would be asked if He had chosen the Mongolians or the Peruvians. He chose Israel, and that is how it is. He knew what would work and why.
He knew what languages would convey His intentions for His word. He knew what family, genealogy, nation, and location would bring about His purposes in the ways He determined.
His word shows that He purposefully intervened at various times in order to ensure things continued on as they should. Everything about the word shows careful attention to every detail.
One example from Israel’s history, which is alluded to in today’s verses, is cited by Jesus –
Text Verse: “‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’
57 Then the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’
58 Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” John 8:56-58
Abraham rejoiced at the good news of God in Christ. The only way that was possible was for God to reveal it to him in some way. Paul explains that in the book of Galatians. But the Jews who argued with Jesus should have clued into what He was saying because they were told to remember the Law of Moses.
The story of Abraham is a part of the Law of Moses. If they had been less arrogant and more willing to study and accept God’s word, they would not have rejected Jesus’ words. They would have understood, believed, and been saved.
And the same is true with us today. Our understanding of God, what He is doing, and how it affects us is found in only one place, His word. It may be explained in ten thousand commentaries and sermons, but it is only found in the Bible.
Unless we actually read the word and check what we are taught, we can have no idea if what we have learned is correct or not. The leaders of Israel instructed the people in all sorts of things, but they often had little to do with the word.
Those instructing were the ones Jesus most vehemently argued against. Do you suppose the same would be true today? If He showed up right now, how would He evaluate the leaders of churches? He would do so in accordance with His word.
Let us remember this, both as a congregation and individually. We must be careful how we conduct our affairs in relation to it. The process of salvation is explained in the word. Many churches get that right, but their doctrine beyond that may be highly questionable.
People being saved doesn’t equate to receiving rewards for how their lives were lived in their state of salvation. And for those who fail to come to Jesus, only bad times can be expected. These are certain truths that are to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again, and… May God speak to us through His word today, and may His glorious name ever be praised.
I. Root and Branch (verses 1-3)
“For behold, the day is coming,
ki hineh hayom ba – “For behold! The day coming.”
The day referred to here corresponds to what was said in Malachi 3:2 –
“But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?”
But what exactly is this day? Scholars vary in their interpretation of its meaning. Some place it at the time of Christ’s coming and the nation’s rejection of Him. Thus, the destruction of Jerusalem by fire and the exile of the people. Others see it as the day when Christ returns in fiery judgment, as in 2 Peter 3:7 –
“But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
If this is the same day referred to in Malachi 3, one might assume the day is in Jesus’ first coming. Malachi 3:1 begins with the thought of the Lord sending His messenger before Jesus. All three of the synoptic gospels cite Jesus saying this was John the Baptist –
“As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.”’” Matthew 11:7-10
However, verse 5 will say that this day is when the Lord will send Elijah the prophet, a man who did not die but who was taken directly to heaven in a whirlwind, as recorded in 2 Kings 2.
To further complicate the matter, Jesus directly equated John the Baptist to Elijah in His continued words of Matthew 11 –
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Matthew 11:11-15
The answer to the meaning of “the day” comes from understanding God’s irrevocable faithfulness to His unfaithful people, Israel. He has promised that He will bring them into the New Covenant. As a nation, that has not yet happened.
And so, the day is not one particular time, nor is it one particular event. It is a succession of events that comprises the day of the Lord’s judgment, spanning the history of Israel from Christ’s first advent until His second.
John the Baptist came as the promised Elijah, and the nation did not receive Jesus. In the future, Elijah himself will return to testify once again to the nation. This will be seen as we continue. This succession of events that comprises “the day” will be…
1 (con’t) Burning like an oven,
boer katanur – “Burning according to the firepot.” In Malachi 3:2, it said, “For He according to fire – smelting.” Christ was compared to the fire. Now, the day of Christ is compared to the firepot in which the smelting occurs.
Fire in the open burns with great heat, but the firepot is used to increase the heat. In such heat, everything impure is burned away or separated, such as the slag separating from the pure metal. Nobody can doubt that this type of process was used to purge Israel after Christ’s ascension.
In fact, preterists cling to the fact that the judgment upon Israel occurred at that time in the destruction of the temple and the exile of the people. To them, that was the end of Israel in the redemption narrative. And yet, this causes a dilemma because Israel exists today not only as a people but in the land promised to the people.
Preterists and replacement theologians dismiss this fact as an aberration, clinging to the notion that the church is the only focus of what God is doing in the world today. There has to be a lot of spiritualizing of Scripture in order to hold to this view.
But if taken literally, then the words of Malachi – and indeed both testaments of Scripture – tell us that “the day” is not isolated to a single time of the past nor of a day future to us now. The judgment of God upon Israel is an ongoing succession of events. It is a day of judgment…
1 (con’t) And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will 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.
v’hayu khal zedim v’khal oseh rishah qash v’lihat otham hayom haba amar Y’hovah ts’vaoth asher lo yaazov lahem shoresh v’anaph –
“‘And became all the arrogant,
And all doing wickedness – stubble!
And licks them, the day, the coming,’
Said Yehovah Sabaoth,
‘Which naught relinquishes to them root and branch.’”
The arrogant and those doing wickedness correspond to those of the previous chapter –
“And now, we straightened arrogant,
Also built doing wickedness,
Also tested God and escape.” Malachi 3:15
Those who think they are ok, ignoring the Lord and trusting in themselves apart from Him, are nothing but stubble. They will be completely burnt up through His fiery judgment.
The word lahat is used. It comes from a primitive root signifying to lick. That, however, is interpreted as to blaze, burn, set on fire, and so forth. The idea is identical to our concept of flames licking up what they come in contact with.
This coming day will be like a flaming tongue that will lick up the arrogant in the firepot, consuming them. As for the words of the verse itself, they are like what John the Baptist said to the people –
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’” Matthew 3:7-12
John equates the time of this wrath to the time of Christ’s appearing. And yet, Jews formed the initial body of the church under the New Covenant. They continue to be saved today. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2 –
“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.” 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
Consider what is happening. Both Jews and Gentiles have entered the New Covenant. And yet, there are Jews who have not entered it. The Gentiles were never under the law, so those Jews who do not enter the New Covenant are the only ones who remain under the law.
The Law of Moses did not end for them when Christ came and initiated the New Covenant. It only ends for them if and when they enter into the New Covenant. Hebrews 8:13 makes this explicit –
“In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”
The law is obsolete. It is no longer what God is doing in the process of redemptive history. However, it is not yet gone. It remains binding upon Israel until they come into the New Covenant.
As for the saying, “Which naught relinquishes to them root and branch,” the general consensus passed on from scholar to scholar is that this is a proverbial saying expressing utter destruction and signifying that none shall escape. Although this is true for those being described, this is not the intent.
Rather, the meaning is to be derived from the purpose of roots and branches. A root provides stability, brings in moisture, transfers nutrients into the tree to feed it, and so forth.
The branches produce leaves that receive the sunlight, take in carbon dioxide, and convert it, along with water, into glucose and oxygen. Thus, they produce the necessary nutrients for the tree to grow. It doesn’t say there will be no root or branch, but that the fire, the judgment, will not relinquish to them root or branch.
Paul uses this metaphor and equates it to Israel in the process of God’s judgment, thus defining “the day” as an ongoing succession of events –
“For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” Romans 11:16-18
Paul’s words are misinterpreted in many directions. The meaning is that branches are equated to what God is doing in the process of redemption. There are believing Jews and also believing Gentiles. The believing Jews are never broken off from God’s purposes. The believing Gentiles are grafted into God’s purposes. They receive what the roots provide and then produce what is needed for the tree.
The unbelieving Jews are broken off. They receive nothing, and they have no part in what God is doing in the New Covenant. Unbelieving Gentiles are never grafted into the tree.
Paul further explains this process, but this is the intent of the Lord’s words through Malachi. The focus is solely on Israel. The mystery of the inclusion of Gentiles is a part of God’s plans, but at the time of Malachi, it was a mystery not yet revealed. Thus, for the sake of the next words, the focus remains on Israel alone…
2 But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings;
Rather: v’zar’khah lakhem yire sh’mi shemesh ts’daqah umarphe bikhnapheha –
“And arose to you – ‘fearful My name,’
Sun Righteousness,
And a healing in her extremities.”
The word bikhnapheha refers to a feminine entity as in her (or its), but certainly not his (His). The word sun is a common noun. The word righteousness is a feminine noun. Malachi is focusing on the righteousness aspect of the sun, not the sun itself. The righteousness defines the sun. More exactly, righteousness itself is equated to a sun.
To understand this, think of the song “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens. Peace is equated by him to a train that ran throughout the land. What is referred to here is a Righteousness Sun rising over the people who fear the name of the Lord.
This is not to diminish the role of Christ, but there is no personal reference to Him. Rather, the words are given to define what He did. This can be seen in the first use of the word righteousness in the New Testament –
“Then Jesus, He comes from the Galilee upon the Jordan unto John to be immersed by him. 14 And John, he thoroughly hinders Him, saying, ‘I, I have need by You to be immersed, and You, You come unto me?’ 15 And Jesus, having answered, said unto him, ‘Permit now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he permits Him.” Matthew 3:13-15 (CGT)
Christ’s coming is equated to a Righteousness Sun that shone over Israel. The people could not meet the demands of the law, but He could and did. His work fulfilled all righteousness (the extremities of the Righteousness Sun) for the people, thus healing them from the infection of sin that separated them from God.
The law, except as fulfilled by Him, stood opposed to them. They were expected to see this and come to Him for healing. This thought takes the reader all the way back to the introduction of sin in Genesis 3. The issue is dealt with, finally, in and through the work of Christ. For those who would trust in Him…
2 (con’t) And you shall go out
And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
vitsathem uphish’tem k’egle marbeq – “And gone out and spread according to calves a stall.” The words are not limited to either the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 or to the tribulation as various scholars claim. Rather, at any time a person is eclipsed by the Righteousness Sun, he is healed. In this healing, such a person is freed as a calf from the stall.
The word used here is phush, a word coming from a primitive root signifying to spread. It is debated what the intent is. Some equate it to growing fat. But if the calves go out, they’re not stall-fed afterward. Such an analysis seems to jumble concepts.
Others equate it to the act of the calves, springing about as they spread out in the fields. That would be more of a paraphrase based on observation of how cows might act when released.
What seems most likely is that when calves are stalled, they are close together. Thus, everything under their feet would be crushed. As such, “according to calves a stall” is saying that when calves go out, what they do would be as explained in the next words…
3 You shall trample the wicked,
v’asothem r’shaim – “And splootched wicked.” So, yes, I made that word up. The Hebrew word is asas, and it is found only here. It comes from a primitive root signifying to squeeze out juice. That brings to mind the sound or effect made when you grab something and squeeze out its juice – splootch.
There are other words that mean trample, tread, crush, etc. If one steps on a grape or squeezes a lemon, we don’t have a single word to uniquely describe the sound or effect. Words like press, puree, pulp, extract, and so forth each have their own meaning, but none of them fits perfectly. As for what happens after they are splootched…
3 (con’t) For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet
On the day that I do this,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
ki yihyu epher takhath kapoth raglekhem bayom asher ani oseh amar Y’hovah ts’vaoth –
“‘For become ash under soles your feet,
In the day which I doing.’
Said Yehovah Sabaoth.”
When they are splootched out, there will be nothing left. Just as ashes under the soles of one’s foot disappear into nothingness, so it will be with the arrogant and the wicked.
Again, the intent is that this applies to the time when the Righteousness Sun shines upon a person. It is a timeframe, highlighted by the completion of Christ’s work, until the nation of Israel finally accepts Him.
Those who oppose the gospel, the arrogant and those doing wickedness, are being referred to as the recipients of the action by those who accept it.
The meaning isn’t that they will literally step on these people. Rather it is a metaphorical way of saying that the wicked will be regarded as if they were ashes under the soles of the feet. Those who fear the Lord and reckon His name (Malachi 3:17) will not have to worry that their fear of the Lord is in vain.
While the others were saying “Emptiness serving God,” (3:14), those who feared the Lord understood there is nothing futile or empty in their reverence of Him.
Remember what I have spoken
And apply it to your daily walk
Let My word be as a token
So that the two of us can talk
Without My word, we stand at odds
What kind of fellowship could we share
If you are out following other gods
Know with certainty, I would not be there
Remember the word that I have given
Keep it in context and things will go well
In My word are the details for true livin’
They’ll set you on the right path, keeping you from hell
II. Upon All Israel (verses 4-6)
4 “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant,
The verb is imperative: zikhru torath Mosheh avdi – “Remember! Law Moses, My servant.” The admonition is not for us today, as if we are to observe the law. Nor was it written for the Jews after Jesus’ coming, as if the law was still binding upon them.
The words were spoken to Israel at the time of Malachi. The law was in effect. It was to be obeyed. As such, no further revelation (more prophets coming to remind them of this) was to be expected.
The Lord has just promised that the Righteousness Sun was coming. That indicates quite clearly that the Law of Moses was not a Righteousness Sun. The law, as Paul openly states, was a tutor to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
In remembering the law and anticipating the promise set forth in Malachi, the people would then be prepared for the coming of Christ. Understanding this, the Lord continues with…
4 (con’t) Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel,
With the statutes and judgments.
asher tsivithi otho b’khorev al kal Yisrael khuqim u-mishpatim –
“Which commanded him in Horeb upon all Israel –
Enactments and judgments.”
The words could not be clearer. The verb is first person common singular. The Lord commanded (tsiviti – I commanded) Moses the enactments and judgments of the Law.
It wasn’t something that Moses conjured up on his own. Rather, it was the word of the Lord commanded by Him to and through Moses. As such, the words confirm the dating of the law. It cannot be that the law was penned much later if the Lord, through Malachi, states that He commanded it to Moses.
And more, it says that this was “in Horeb.” The words not only confirm the dating of the law but also the circumstances by which it came about. The words of Moses in Deuteronomy claim that the law was received in Horeb. The Lord confirms this through Malachi. And more, the law commanded “upon all Israel.”
Israel had agreed to the terms of the covenant. In doing so, they placed not only themselves under its precepts but the nation as an existing entity, meaning in its continuance throughout the generations. The law was a formal agreement that remained binding upon the nation and its people.
They had no right to amend it, walk away from it, disregard it, etc. If they attempted to do so, they would suffer the punishments detailed in it. And those punishments were sure to come unless they paid heed to what is next said…
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
hineh anokhi sholeakh lakehm eth Eliyah hanavi – “Behold! I sending to you Elijah the prophet.”
The words of verse 4 tell us that no further prophetic revelation was to be expected. The people were to remember the Law of Moses, meaning not only know what it said but also perform what it prescribed.
They would receive no more reminders or warnings. Instead, they had exactly what they needed to make the right choice and determination when the time arrived. When it arrived, the Lord promised to send Elijah the prophet.
As noted earlier, Jesus pinpointed the coming of John the Baptist with the promise of Elijah. However, when asked about who he was, John’s words appear to argue against that –
“Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’
20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’
21 And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’
He said, ‘I am not.’
‘Are you the Prophet?’
And he answered, ‘No.’
22 Then they said to him, ‘Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?’
23 He said: ‘I am
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”’
as the prophet Isaiah said.” John 1:19-23
This tells us that the idea of a succession of events concerning the words of Malachi concerning “the day” that is coming is correct. John was sent to fulfill the promise of Elijah’s return.
In Revelation 2:20, Jesus speaks of “that woman Jezebel.” This doesn’t mean Jezebel of the Old Testament book of Kings. And yet, He uses the name to identify this woman with her.
This is what Jesus did with John the Baptist. He identified John as the prophetic fulfillment of the one who would restore the people to proper law worship so that when Jesus came, He would be recognized as the One the law anticipated.
That calling did not end with John’s death. The message of John continues to this day in the pages of Scripture. Each Jew that reads and accepts his testimony concerning Jesus and then accepts Jesus is instructed by “Elijah” as referred to by Jesus.
And yet, the actual Elijah will return in fulfillment of the word of the Lord through Malachi. This is because Malachi explicitly states that Elijah will be sent because John explicitly said he is not Elijah, and because there will be two witnesses already identified in the Old Testament who will come to witness to the truth of God in Christ during the tribulation.
Although they are not named, a logical deduction of who each is can be made. First, in the Zechariah 4, it says –
“I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. 3 Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” Zechariah 4:2, 3
…
“Then I answered and said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?’ 12 And I further answered and said to him, ‘What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?’
13 Then he answered me and said, ‘Do you not know what these are?’
And I said, ‘No, my lord.’
14 So he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.’” Zechariah 4:11-14
Later, in Revelation 11, these two are further described –
“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Revelation 11:3-8
As they were identified first in Zechariah, we know that they are from Old Testament times. As only two people from the Old Testament were taken by God and are still alive today, Enoch and Elijah, we can correctly deduce that they are the two witnesses.
As they will testify in Jerusalem (as noted, “where also our Lord was crucified”), the promise of the return of Elijah in Malachi will find its final fulfillment at that time, which is…
5 (con’t) Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
liphne bo yom Y’hovah ha’gadol v’hanora –
“To faces coming day Yehovah –
The whopping and the fearing.”
Again, there is a successive fulfillment of this. In their rejection of Christ Jesus after the testimony of John, Israel received the punishment of the curses of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. They continue to receive this with each rejection of Him today.
Each Jew who dies apart from Jesus will likewise face the great and dreadful day of the Lord when they stand before Him. But the nation as a whole will again have to face this decision with the coming of Elijah during the tribulation. He will instruct them just as John the Baptist did. Those who pay heed will find a different fate awaits them than those who fail to do so.
As you can see, the problem with explaining these verses with a single fulfillment of them is evident. It fails to take the whole of Scripture into consideration. John the Baptist came as a type of Elijah, identifying with his promised mission. Elijah himself will be sent to complete the process…
6 And he will turn
The hearts of the fathers to the children,
And the hearts of the children to their fathers,
v’heshiv lev avoth al banim v’lev banim al avotham –
“And turned heart fathers upon sons,
And heart sons upon fathers.”
This is not a verse describing immediate family relations, as in, “He will turn the people in the families to love one another.” Rather, this is a word concerning the Hebrew people as a whole. The fathers are the patriarchs, especially Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The children are those who have misunderstood both the promise to the patriarchs and the purpose of the law. The heart of the fathers was that of promise while trusting in the gospel of the grace of God. Paul explains this in Galatians 3 –
“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.’”
…
“And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” Galatians 3:8, 9, & 17, 18
The hearts of the children, the unbelievers of Israel, will have their hearts turned to the hearts of the fathers who trusted the gospel of Christ as a certain and sure promise. If they do not turn their hearts, the warning stands…
*6 (fin) Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
pen avo v’hikethi eth ha’arets kharem – “Lest come and strike the land – anathema.” The Old Testament, the time of man’s living under the curse of law, ends with the word kherem, anathema. It speaks of the utter destruction or ban of something. It is a fitting end to the thirty-nine books of law.
Only with the hope of God in Christ is there life and renewed fellowship with God. Only in understanding the gospel can that state be realized.
As with the whole chapter, these final words speak of a dual fulfillment. The first part of it came about when Israel rejected Jesus. He told them as much in Matthew 23:36, saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.”
The nation as a whole rejected Jesus, remained under law, and fell under the ban because of it. The second fulfillment will be for those of Israel who continue to reject Jesus during the tribulation. However, for the nation, that will eventually end. The land of Israel, symbolized by Jerusalem, was anathema because of Israel’s rejection of Jesus. This is seen in Zechariah 14:11 –
“The people shall dwell in it;
And no longer shall there be utter destruction [kherem],
But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.”
This prophecy concerns the future when Israel finally receives Jesus. Only when the hearts of the children are turned to the hearts of the fathers will this time of woe for Israel end.
The day is coming, and the world is being readied for it with the return of Israel to her land. The nation has been reestablished, prophecies of the past have come to their fulfillment, and many more prophecies are set to be fulfilled.
The book is written, and these things will come about. We are simply spectators watching as the words of Scripture are faithfully realized, often before our own eyes. At some point, the rapture will take place and the attention of the Lord will be directed to bringing about the final restoration of Israel while also bringing about judgment upon all who refuse to believe.
Malachi sets forth both the hope of restoration and the warning of rejecting it. Though it is directed to Israel, for those who know Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles, we can learn from what is said here.
Our trust is not to be in the Law of Moses but in the One who is spoken of there and throughout all of Scripture. It is not easy to let go and place ourselves solely under the authority of another, but we must do so. If we are in need of surgery, we have to trust that the surgeon will get us through the ordeal.
In the case of our eternal souls, we have to let go of trusting in ourselves and look to the eternal gospel, which God has slowly and methodically revealed to the world through His word. And that gospel is centered completely and entirely on the Person of Jesus Christ.
Let us not fail to put our trust in Him. Anything else will not carry us through to the restoration that God offers to His people. Yes, let us trust solely in the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
When everything fades,
My strength is no more.
I have nothing left.
Yet, I have it all!
Your goodness, your grace,
Still lives in me.
I don’t have to be afraid.
I still have this peace;
My Lord overcomes
The surges of storms.
When people’s hearts fail
He is still in control.
No waves high enough
Could cover the truth;
There is no storm
Stronger than You!
I sit in my pity,
In my fallen ways,
But my Lord is perfect!
So is his grace.
His love is sufficient!
His love floods my soul,
I’m saved in your arms
So please hold me, Lord.
Izabela Bednara, 9 October 2024
Closing Verse: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Revelation 22:21
Next Week: Wait and see
The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. He has sent His Messenger to carry the good news to all people. Jesus! God promised, and God delivered. The time of the law has ended, and grace has come. Praise God for Jesus.
Malachi 4:1-6 (CG)
For behold! The day coming:
Burning according to the firepot.
And became all the arrogant,
And all doing wickedness – stubble!
And licks them, the day, the coming,
Said Yehovah Sabaoth,
Which naught relinquishes to them root and branch.
2 And arose to you – fearful My name,
Sun Righteousness,
And a healing in its wings.
And gone out and spread according to calves a stall.
3 And splootched wicked,
For become ash under soles your feet,
In the day which I doing.
Said Yehovah Sabaoth.
4 Remember! Law Moses, My servant,
Which commanded him in Horeb upon all Israel –
Enactments and judgments.
5 Behold! I sending to you Elijah the prophet,
To faces coming day Yehovah –
The whopping and the fearing.
6 And turned heart fathers upon sons,
And heart sons upon fathers.
Lest come and strike the land – anathema.
Malachi 4:1-6 (NKJV)
“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will 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.
2 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.
3 You shall trample the wicked,
For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet
On the day that I do this,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
4 “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant,
Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel,
With the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
6 And he will turn
The hearts of the fathers to the children,
And the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
