(Malachi 4) The Plea of the Prophets

Introduction

50,000 Jews left Babylon for Jerusalem in 536 BC

80 years later a second group came with Ezra

But the Alter was being defiled… Which syybolized

the holiness of God

the ugliness of sin

the beauty of forgiveness

Those who dishonor God will be consumed

Those who honor God will be healed and set free

Be faithful to the covenant

Remember Gods Promise for the Future.

Verse 1:

The Day is Coming

Burning Like an Oven

God promises fire upon the wicked

Stubble: unusable part of the grain… burns quickly

Neither root nor branch:

NO HOPE to sprout up again to life

If the root remains, there’s hope… but hope is gone because judgement is eternal

Malachi 3:2-3 “2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 “He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.”

Verse 2-3

But You who FEAR my name

Those who revere God in his power, might, and majesty

The Sun of Righteousness shall Rise

Most Christians understand this to be a reference to Jesus!

Psalm 81:11 “11 “But My people did not listen to My voice, And Israel did not obey Me.”

Isaiah 60:19 “19 “No longer will you have the sun for light by day, Nor for brightness will the moon give you light; But you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, And your God for your glory.”

Rev 22:16 “16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.””

Numbers 24:17 “17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.”

John Trapp, an English Puritan in the 1600’s wrote: “He went under a cloud in his passion, and brake forth again in his resurrection. From heaven he daily darts forth his beams of righteousness, and showers down all spiritual blessings in heavenly privileges.”

With Healing in it’s Wings

Wings: Rays / Sunbeams

Brings joy / healing / warmth

When the light of God comes, we NEED no other light!

Leaping like calves from the Stall

The calf in the stall is shut up for the night… but when the sun rises it goes forth into the pasture. It’s FREE / HAPPY … and in the light of Christ the wicked shall be trampled underneath our feet. (Enjoy the victory)

Verse 4

Remember the Law of Moses

Why? Because God’s prophetic voice would be silent for 400 years

With Statutes and Judgements

That how man related with God was on the basis of the Law

Thank God for the new covenant

John 1:17 “17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

Verse 5-6

I will send you Elijah

MOSES and ELIJAH

Both met God at mount Sinai (Exodus 3, 1 Kings 19)

Both met Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mat 17)

And quite possibly they are the 2 witnesses in Revelation’

He will turn the hearts of fathers to children… children to fathers.

Lest I strike the land with destruction

Point:

Those who dishonor God will be consumed

Those who honor God will be healed and set free

Be faithful to the covenant

Remember Gods Promise for the Future.