“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, that will leave them neither branch nor root.”
Malachi 4:1
Malachi is the last prophet in the Old Testament. His prophecy occurred around 433 BC after the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah. It begins with a declaration from God that He has loved Israel and in return for His love Israel has profaned the name of the Lord, corrupted the covenant, dishonored Him, and wearied Him with their sins. Because of this, the Day of the Lord is coming where the proud and the wicked will be as stubble in the fire.
There are three sins in particular that are mentioned in Malachi. First, they think worshipping God is burdensome and irrelevant to everyday life. They mock the directions for worship and offer sick and lame animals upon his altar. Second, divorce is rampant and wives are being oppressed, families are a disaster. The third is that they have stopped tithing, the idol of Mammon rules the day. Worship, marriage, family, and money have all gotten turned upside down. The Day of the Lord will turn it right side up.
The Day of Lord that Malachi is referring to is the ministry of Jesus Christ culminating in His death, resurrection, and the judgment of Jerusalem in 70 AD. They will know the Day of the Lord is here when Elijah, the prophet, returns. (Malachi 4:5) Jesus says that the prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:11-13, Luke 1:17) Also, John the Baptist’s message is remarkably similar to Malachi’s. In Matthew 3 John tells the Pharisees and Sadducees, “Brood of vipers who warned you to flee the wrath to come?” and, “…even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire,” and that the Messiah will, “…thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
John announced that the great Day of the Lord has arrived in the person of Jesus who will turn hearts aright. The wicked will be judged and for those who serve the Lord, worship, marriage, family, money, and, indeed, all things will be made to glorify the Lord who love us.
Glory to the Lord of hosts!
His mercy endures forever!
Pastor Flynn
