Malachi 3:16-18; Malachi 4:1-6
Q.1. In what way does the testimony of the true follower differ from those who criticize God? Whom does God never forget? Will He reward those who faithfully serve Him? – (Mal.3:16-18 c.f. Mal.3:13-15)
True followers of God are those who have been declared righteous. They fear and esteem Him above all others. They love to share the testimonies of His goodness with their brothers and sisters in Christ, and to serve Him no matter what the circumstances (Mal.3:16 & 18). The wicked do not accept that they need help from God and serve themselves. Here we have it on record, that God treats His own differently from those who have no time for Him – 16 … the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. 17 “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” 18 So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him (Mal.3:16-18). For some, this life will be hard to bear. However, the day is written into God’s diary, when He will deal out relief to the righteous, and retribution to the ungodly (2Thes.1:5-10).
Q.2. What has God prepared for those who reject Him? Will those who fear His name be treated the same? How certain is God’s triumph over evil? – (Mal.4:1-3)
God spelled out to Malachi what this day of reckoning will be for the arrogant and evil doer – For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch (Mal.4:1). How different it will be for God’s faithful followers – But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall (Mal.4:2). The ungodly will not always oppress the righteous (Mal.4:3).
Q.3. What was God’s final instruction to Israel? Whom will God send before His coming judgment? Who is this prophet? What will be his ministry? – (Mal.4:4-6 c.f. Lk.1:13-17)
Israel had a unique calling, dating back to the Covenant at Mount Horeb. They were to be His witnesses by keeping God’s law (Mal.4:4 c.f. Dt.4:1-8; Is.43:10-13). Before all these terrible events unfold, God would send His One and Only Son, to be heralded by John, the Baptizer. This promised coming of an Elijah-like prophet was identified by an angel, as none other than John – 13 … “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(Lk.1:13-17 c.f. Mal.4:5-6). John’s role was to prepare the hearts of Israel for the coming ministry of Christ. That required a genuine righteousness that was reflected in the daily relationships of family members. We now know that these final events of judgment would be interrupted by a time when Christ would atone for sin, and commission His followers to share the Gospel with the nations of the world.