Malachi 1 to 4
The last writing of God’s words to the people in Jerusalem was by a man named Malachi. He lived about one hundred years after Haggai and Zechariah. Many of the people seem to have forgotten the goodness of God to their nation, and the leaders did not keep His words and were unfair in matters for the people, and wrong in their words to God.
But there were some who believed God’s words, and “feared” or reverenced Him; they often spoke to each other of Him, and of what would honor Him. The Lord heard what they said and told Malachi of a “book” written to remember them:
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon His name; And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when 1 make up My jewels.” Malachi 3:16,1716Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. 17And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (Malachi 3:16‑17).
It must have cheered those people very much to know that the Lord heard their words, and would remember them, and that He prized them as His “jewels”, or treasures. Reading of that “book” of the Lord’s has encouraged many since, for they know that He must hear and treasure all who think and speak of Him.
God told of another prophet, or messenger, who would come,
“Behold, I send My Messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me.” Malachi 3:11Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1).
Those words should have taught the people that the Lord was to come, as well as a prophet, for He said, “he shall prepare the way before Me”. Many years after, a man named John preached to the people near Jerusalern to repent of their sins; that was how they were “to prepare” for the coming of the Lord. John spoke with earnestness and many turned from their sinful ways. John came just before the Lord Jesus, and surely fulfilled the words told to Malachi.
Malachi was told of a time when the Lord would cleanse away all evil, as a “refiner’s fire” separates pure metal from impure, or as a “fuller” cleanses cloth; evil will be destroyed as “stubble” in a field is burned. Mal. 3:3; 4:13And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:3)
1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. (Malachi 4:1).
After that the Lord is called the “Sun of Righteousness.” The sun warms, purifies and heals things on earth, as well as giving light, so this title of the Lord teaches that He will purify hearts of sin and heal them of sorrows.
It was about 400 years after Malachi, that Christ the Deliverer their Messiah came, but the Jews cast Him out and would not receive Him. Since His death and resurrection, He is offering Himself as the Saviour to all who will accept Him as such. He is willing and ready to save.
Do you know Him. as your very own Saviour?
ML 11/01/1942