(2) Chapter 2 : Verse 10 – Jacob was the one father of all the Israelites. And it was one God that had created all of them. God cites their knowledge of these and condemns the way they were breaking the covenant that was made between their fathers and their creator, Him. That covenant asked them to love each other (Leviticus 19:18). Instead, they were breaking faith with one another. God was pained by it. Even for us, love is the royal commandment we need to follow (2 John 1:5). Apostle John says that one who does not love his brother ‘is still in the darkness’ (2 John 1:5). If we are not faithful to our brethren, like the Israelites of Malachi’s time, we will also be guilty of breaking our covenant with God. His anger is sure to come upon us.
(3) Verses 11,12 – The Israelites not only betrayed each other, but by marrying the daughters of foreign gods, they had also broken faith with God. And hence, broke the commandment to love God as well. Mixed marriages were considered ‘detestable’ by God. Moses had warned them against such marriages (Deuteronomy 7:2,3). He had told them that if they married into the gentiles, then those gentile spouses would make them veer away from God (Deuteronomy 7:4). Even the great Solomon had fallen from faith because of such marriages (1 Kings 11:1-4). The Israelites of Malachi’s time were betraying their covenant with God by doing such marriages. God says that the ones who did such things, ‘whoever it may be’, will be cut off from the tents of Jacob. God’s judgement is always impartial and has no regard for men and their status. Regarding marriages among us, Apostle Paul says that it is better, be it a man or woman, to remain unmarried and serve God (1 Corinthians 7:1,2). But if some of us decide to marry, it is true that since there is no difference between a ‘greek’ or ‘Jew’ in Christ, we need not worry about the caste or race of our partners (Galatians 3:28). However, it is better to marry a partner who is also consecrated to God. Otherwise, it is quite possible that like the Israelites of Malachi’s times, who were led to sin by their gentile partners, we may also get deviated from our spiritual life because of our non-consecrated partners. Also, it is wrong to think that we can marry a non believer and later lead them into the truth. The Israelites must also have thought the same way back then. We have to remember that even the wise Solomon was led to his downfall by such marriages. Truly, it is God’s calling that ‘draws’ someone to become consecrated and hence we cannot expect to convince someone, just like that, into consecrating (John 1:13). It is a risk worth not taking.
(4) Verses 13,14 – The Israelites did another thing. While continuing in their faithlessness, they flooded the Lord’s altar with tears that He did not approve of their offerings and sacrifices, because of which they were missing their blessings. The Israelites asked ‘why’ He was doing so, as if they were innocent. God saw right through their hypocrisy and details why. History reveals that Israelites of ancient times used to marry quite young. Many Israelites were betraying the ‘wife of their youth’ and seeking gentile women. God says that he is a ‘witness’ to the marriage covenant of the Israelites with the wives of their youth and hence he was punishing them for being unfaithful. Marriage is indeed holy even for us and it has to be respected as such (Hebrews 13:4).
(5) Verses 15,16 – Citing the fact that He considered a husband and wife as one flesh and spirit, he says that he does so because he was seeking ‘godly offspring’. Only if the husband and wife were one in spirit and faith, they will raise God fearing children. The children of mixed marriages tended to follow alien gods. Thus, not only a mixed people were created among the Israelites, more importantly, these people were following and spreading alien practices. So, God asks them to guard their spirit and not break faith with the wives of their youth. He declares strongly that He ‘hates divorce’. And one who divorces, presumably for unjustified reasons, ‘covers his garment with wrong’ (NASB). He warns them again to be guarded in spirit and not break faith. As for us, Christ lays down the cardinal rule that only marital unfaithfulness is a ground for divorce (Matthew 5:31,32). But, today people get divorced for petty reasons. We should detest such behaviour and ‘hate divorce’ like Yahweh. If a married couple within a church head towards divorce for petty reasons, the elders of the church should advise them. We can also learn from the experiences of the Israelites that if we marry non-consecrated partners, it will be tough to bring up our children in a Godly atmosphere. While it is true that our children’s consecration ultimately rests with God’s calling, it is still important to raise them in a godly atmosphere (John 6:44).
(6) Verse 17 – Even after sinning in many ways, the Israelites continued to frustrate God with their disobedient words. But, even then they asked, ‘How have we wearied Him?’ God answers them. Israelites said that even those who ‘do evil’ were ‘good in the eyes of the Lord’. By saying that, they questioned the existence of a God of justice which frustrated God. The Israelites looked around and saw the injustices in the world and came to the conclusion that God was just a mute spectator. This had led to their unfaithfulness. This attitude of them saddened God. Living in Satan’s world, we also have many reasons to conclude like them after seeing the many injustices that surround us. But, those injustices should not make us forget that God’s justice is just, sure and will be revealed soon. Truly, the day in which all the injustices of this world will be exposed is coming soon (See Grace – Blossom 06:August 08, para 06). We should never forget that.
(7) Chapter 3 : Verse 1 – In the previous verse, the Israelites had asked God where was His justice. And so, God starts telling them about the coming day of judgement on them. God says that firstly, his messenger will prepare His way, after which the one being sought by the Israelites, the messenger of their covenant will come to the temple. This is a fulfilled prophecy. We can know this for sure from the following statement of Jesus – ‘This (John the Baptist) is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ (Luke 7:27). This identification of John the Baptist as the messenger who prepares the way, by Jesus helps us to decode this prophecy. We should always be guided by New Testament markers that aid us in understanding prophecies. If the messenger who prepared the way was John the Baptist, then it is clear that Jesus was the messenger of the covenant. As we know, John’s ministry began before that of Christ and by citing the shortcomings of the Israelites; John prepared the minds of Israelites for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. After that, as prophesied here, Jesus, the messenger of the covenant did come to the Jerusalem temple.
(8) Verses 2,3,4,5 – But, God asks them, who can ‘endure’ and ‘stand’ the day of the coming of the messenger of the covenant. For that messenger will be like a refiner and a launderer’s soap that cleaned dirt. He would refine them like silver. In the last issue, we saw how the Levites of Malachi’s time were unfaithful to God. They offered blemished sacrifices that were not accepted by God. (See Scripture Study – Blossom 03:April 10, paras 09,10,11). But after the refining of the messenger of the covenant, their offerings would once again be righteous. The sacrifices of the Israelites would once again be acceptable to God. In that day of judgement, God says that he will testify against all kinds of wrong doers among the Israelites. These prophetic verses are being fulfilled. Christ’s ministry among the Israelites, when he was in earth, was like a refiner’s fire to them. The refining which started back then, still continues for the Israelites. Paul says about this in this fashion – ‘Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious’ (Romans 11:11). Salvation has to come to the gentiles to make Israel envious and realize their mistakes. Indeed, the period of Gentiles has been a refining time for the Israelites. They got scattered throughout the world and suffered greatly. History is a testimony to that. Truly, the day of the messenger of the covenant has been tough to endure for the Israelites. But, when this day ends, the Kingdom of God will be established on earth and by then the Israelites would have been refined completely and as prophesied by Malachi here, once again their sacrifices will be acceptable to God.
(9) Verses 6,7,8,9,10,11,12 – God highlights the mistakes of the Israelites again. The non changing nature of God is the only reason that the Israelites were not destroyed, despite them being unfaithful for a long time. God’s patience with them was due to His covenant with them. If they repented and returned to Him, He would also return to them. Truly, in comparison with other nations, God was more patient with Israelites because of His covenant with them but they asked him ‘how are we to return’. God accuses them of robbing him. The Israelites asked God ‘How’. By not paying tithes and offerings. They were cursed because of that. God challenges them to test him by offering tithes properly. If they did so, he would throw open the floodgates of heaven and bless them. Even pests would not attack their lands and their vines would be blessed. Today, even after using pesticides, farms get damaged. So, a pest free harvest 3000 years back would amaze all other nations and make them call Israel as blessed. The Israelites would have got such great blessings if they had followed God’s statues. Instead, they were cursed because of their disobedience. Through the covenant of baptism, we have given our all to God. Hence, we are not to give one in ten to God, but ten in ten. If we fail to fulfil this covenant obligation, we will also be robbing God. Instead, if we act faithful to our covenant by eagerly giving our all to do God’s works like spreading the Gospel, we will reap great spiritual blessings.
(10) Verses 13,14,15 – Despite saying ‘harsh things’ against God, the Israelites boldly asked, ‘What have we said’. They said harsh things against God by saying that it was futile to serve God and questioned the gain in keeping God’s commandments. Because in their eyes, the evildoers prospered, the arrogant were blessed and even those who challenged God escaped punished. Again, many become atheists today precisely because of the lack of valid answers to such questions. For even today many evil men prosper. Many wrongs do go unpunished. Hence, the answer given by God to these questions in the next verses is very important.
(11) Verses 16,17,18 – On hearing Malachi’s prophecy, those who ‘feared the Lord’ talked to each other, may be in apprehension about the questions raised. Lord listened to their conversations and He sets out to relieve their doubts. Surely, those who served God and kept His commandments will not go unrewarded. A ‘scroll of remembrance’ is present in God’s hands with the names of all those who faithfully follow him. And those people will be His, says God, on the day when He makes up His treasured possession. The day God will collect His treasured possession is His coming Kingdom. Then, He will spare the faithful from his judgements, like a father who spares his obedient son. Then, people will see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, a distinction which was blurred in Malachi’s time. Truly, when the faithful of Malachi resurrect as tested and proven ones in the Kingdom of God, this prophecy will be fulfilled. For the wicked ones of Malachi’s time will resurrect as untested ones who will need to prove their faith. In this way, the difference between them will be very clear then. Even the wicked among us, the church, will also be revealed only in the Kingdom of God. Till then, let us not get discouraged by the flourishing of evil and trust in God’s righteous judgement.
(12) Chapter 4 : Verses 1,2 – The Israelites had complained in verse 15 of the previous chapter that the evildoers and the arrogant go unpunished. God counters that complain by saying that His judgement day will be like a burning furnace for them and in that day the arrogant ones and the evildoers will be punished. Truly, the evil doers of today will undergo severe correctional measures under the supervision of the Church and Old Testament Faithfuls in the coming Kingdom of God. They will have to unlearn their evil ways and thus will be refined by that furnace like day of Kingdom of God. In the end, those who fail to repent truly or those who fall back, will be eradicated completely with no ‘root or a branch’ remaining. As we know, by the end of the Kingdom of God, all the evildoers will be destroyed completely along with Satan. On the other hand, for those who revere God’s name, the Kingdom of God will be the period when then ‘Sun of righteousness’ will rise, and under its wings, that is under the system of the Kingdom of God, they will have perfect healing. They will go and leap like calves. Indeed, God’s kingdom is going to be filled with blessings for those who obey and fear him (Revelations 21:3,4). In contrast, for the wicked, it will be a dreadful day (Revelations 21:8). So, in this fashion all evil will be eventually eradicated. God is not going to be soft on evil.
(13) Verse 3 – On that day, God says that the righteous will trample down the wicked and the wicked will become ashes under their soles. As we know, at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ, Satan will be released and he will manage to deceive some, who will wage a war against the faithful of God (Revelations 20:7,8,9). But, they will be destroyed with the fire of God’s wrath. Truly, they will become ashes. This prophecy of Malachi will be fulfilled then.
(14) Verse 4 – After warning about the coming judgement of His Kingdom, God asks the Israelites to follow the Law covenant He gave them at ‘Horeb’. For, if they followed it, they would resurrect as faithful ones in God’s Kingdom who need not prove their faith again. They will be God’s treasured possession. As noted in an issue of Grace, the faithful of the Law Covenant were also promised the rest of the Kingdom of God (See Grace – Blossom 26:March 10, paras 07,08).
(15) Verse 5 – God says that he will send Prophet Elijah before the coming dreadful day. Because of this verse, many Israelites are still expecting a return of Elijah. What they do not know is that, this is a fulfilled prophecy. Christ’s words reveal that – ‘For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come’ (Matthew 11:13,14, also see Matthew 17:11-13). John the Baptist was the Elijah sent by God. Since, this is mentioned directly in New Testament, this is most certainly the accurate interpretation. Elijah saved the people of Israel from the terrible faithlessness that prevailed in the time of Ahab-Jezebel. That is why Elijah is being used as an example here. The reason for God to send John the Baptist ahead of Jesus is given in the following last and final verse of the book of Malachi.
(16) Verse 6 – NASB® translation is preferred – ‘He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse’ (Malachi 4:6). Such that God does not destroy the land, John the Baptist would do a ministry of reconciliation, i.e. restoring the hearts of the fathers towards their children and children towards their fathers. The word translated ‘land’ in this verse can also be translated as ‘earth’ and is done so in KJV. So, God is basically saying that John the Baptist would restore the hearts of people and thus the world would not be destroyed. Some other translations give the meaning that if John does not restore, God will destroy the earth. But, NASB® translation of this verse is preferred because it not only is a better translation of the verse but also is the translation that sits well with the context. John the Baptist’s ministry of restoration was not a failure. He did prepare the way for the Messiah and it was because of his ministry of restoration that at least some were ready to accept Jesus. These some became the church. And this church, made possible by the preparatory work of John the Baptist, remain as the salt of the earth and prevent it from getting destroyed i.e. smitten with a curse (Matthew 5:13). Hence, even this is a fulfilled prophecy. Such that the earth did not get destroyed after the first coming of Jesus itself, God used John’s ministry to prepare the people he had predestined, the church. Otherwise, God could have destroyed the world right after Jesus’ sacrifice. It is only for the sake of the church that the earth is not destroyed till now.
(17) We were able to learn not only many useful spiritual lessons but also some exciting prophecies from the book of Malachi. If we remain focussed and faithful to God by doing His works actively, unlike the Israelites of Malachi’s time, then it is sure that we will also be a treasured possession of God. Let us pray to God that He continues to help us in this regard.
– In the next issue, Paul’s letter to Philemon will be studied –