Reflections on Malachi 4

 Malachi 04  (Contemporary English Version)

1. The day of judgment is certain to come. And it will be like a red-hot furnace with flames that burn up proud and sinful people, as though they were straw. Not a branch or a root will be left. I, the LORD All-Powerful, have spoken!
2. But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play.
3. When I come to bring justice, you will trample those who are evil, as though they were ashes under your feet. I, the LORD All-Powerful, have spoken!
4. Don't ever forget the laws and teachings I gave my servant Moses on Mount Sinai.
5. I, the LORD, promise to send the prophet Elijah before that great and terrible day comes.
6. He will lead children and parents to love each other more, so that when I come, I won't bring doom to the land.

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Chapter 1 of Malachi raised the question asked of God by the people, "How have You loved us?" It insinuated that God hadn't really loved them implying the additional question: "Why should we keep the law?" Malachi's message closes in this last chapter with a further answer to that question. A day is coming when the righteous, those who fear the Lord's name, will be filled with joy and the wicked will be consumed with fire. The joy of the righteous is pictured as a calf that is set free from the stall and goes out playfully jumping.

Given a description of the coming day which will address the choices they have made, they were encouraged in the closing verses to "Remember the instruction of Moses." Before that day comes, however, the Lord will send Elijah the prophet who will bring a revival that will "turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers." But if Elijah's coming does not result in revival, the Lord will "strike the land with a curse." Elijah came in the form of John the Baptist and many hearts were turned.