Malachi 4

I hope you have enjoyed our study of Malachi. I thought it would be neat for us to look at some of the last words spoken by God to us before the birth of His Son. It is such a relevant word for us as we are celebrating the birth of Jesus this month.

Malachi 4 starts with a reminder that there will be a day when the Lord Jesus comes again to judge this world. For the wicked, this day shall be a terrible fire. Malachi describes the day as burning like an oven or furnace. In Malachi’s day, an oven was a large hole in the ground, and the sides of the hole were plastered. A fire was made at the bottom of the hole. To start the fire, they would put grass, thorns, twigs, etc. The items used to start the fire were called the stubble. It was quickly consumed as the fire started, so they could place the bread to cook on the side of the oven. Malachi says that the unrighteous, like the stubble, will be quickly consumed on the day of God’s wrath. Malachi also says the unrighteous will not be left - no branch or root. Remember that Hebrews tells us that God is a consuming fire. Revelation says that the kings of the earth and great men will seek out the rocks and mountains to hide. It is an awful reality that those found guilty will consciously suffer torment and torture throughout all eternity.

The things that Malachi tells us about the day of the Lord should motivate us to pray and share with the lost. Do you have any friends or family members that do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior? Put them in context of this passage. I know you do not desire for them to have to face the day of judgment without Jesus. Do not hesitate to share with them. Only God can change their heart, but you can be an instrument to share truth. Their eternal destination is more important than all your reasons for not sharing truth.

As we continue to read in Malachi 4, we see the outcome for the righteous is much different. Verses two and three brought much comfort to my heart. We have so much to look forward to. Jesus is coming again with healing in His wings. Oh, how I need to hear this. When I look at the suffering around me and the challenges in my own life, I am encouraged when I remember that there is a day coming when Jesus will wipe every tear from my eye. No more crying and suffering. Hallelujah! The best is yet to come. God’s day of justice is ahead. We will be healed from the bondage and sickness of sin. This freedom will cause us to leap like a calf that has been stall fed and is then released. We too should jump for joy as we think about what is to come for us who fear God. Even though we have much to anticipate, Malachi reminds us that today is a day for obeying. In order for us to be prepared for what is to come, we need to follow God now. Be ready. Jesus is coming again.

The last words spoken in Malachi 4 are about the curse. The curse lingered until Jesus was born and then died on the cross. He was made a curse for us, so we can experience all of God’s blessings. This is the message we must share with others. Do you remember what some of the first words that were spoken to the people after the 400 years of silence? God said through John the Baptist, “Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” The message is still the same today. Live it and speak it.

--Jennifer Jones, Discipleship Manager