Podcast 64, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Malachi, Ch 3”

One cannot find any book that is more fitting than the Book of Malachi to end the prophets of the Old Testament. Malachi is divided into four chapters, but it is one long beautiful poem written in the vein of Isaiah of the Old Testament and John the Revelator of the New Testament. As with most of the Old Testament and New Testament prophets, Christ is the center of the Book of Malachi.

The Book of Malachi follows the familiar chiastic format: A (Chapter 1), B (Chapter 2), B (Chapter 3), A (Chapter 4). True to form the greatest emphasis falls upon B, with the climax falling upon Chapter 3. That puts Christ in the spotlight. Consider for example the last two verses of Chapter 2 and the first three verses of Chapter Three.

Malachi 2:16-17

For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

Malachi 3:1-3

Behold, 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. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And 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.

Does the Lord, through the prophet Malachi, sufficiently answer the question, “Where is the God of judgment?” If that appears insufficient, then read the next two verses of Malachi 3.

Malachi 3:4-5

Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi is speaking of the Second Coming of Christ. At that day the House of Israel will be refined but not entirely destroyed.

Malachi 3:6

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Remember in Malachi Chapter 1 we learned who the ‘sons of Jacob’ are. They are not just the direct bloodline of Abraham. They include all, Jews and gentiles, who offer a pure offering unto Christ.

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

The Lord invites the Jews to return unto him.

Malachi 3:7

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Speaking Biblically, we think of an ordinance as a prescribed practice. To Christians an Ordinance may refer to the Lord’s Supper or baptism. The Jews refer to temple ordinances and the Passover. Malachi refers to the law of tithing and other offerings as ordinances.