Podcast Introduction

Today is Prophecy Friday and our reading is the book of Malachi. I’m calling today’s episode “In the Valley.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Ana Filipa Neves on Unsplash

Comments on Malachi

Chapter 1

Malachi is another Old Testament prophet about whom we know very little. Here’s what we do know. His name means “my angel”. That’s about it. Judaic tradition holds that Malachi was from the tribe of Zebulun and that he did not live a long life. 

The message of the book of Malachi contains God’s charges against the people for the neglect of the rebuilt temple. You’ll remember that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah brought reproof for their neglecting to build the temple. In Malachi’s time, the temple had been rebuilt, but now it is neglected.

In addition, God charges them with profaning the temple by their behavior while there. 

There was a period of 400 years between Malachi and the birth of Jesus. Before beginning this period of silence, God used Malachi to speak more about the coming Messiah, and He told the people that His coming was close. Four hundred years might sound like a long time, but in the scheme of things, it’s not.

Chapter 2

The second chapter of Malachi ends with this: 17You have tired the Lord out with your talk. But you ask, “How have we tired him?” By saying, “The Lord Almighty thinks all evildoers are good; in fact he likes them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God who is supposed to be just?”

Chapter 3

And  God's answer is in the first verse of chapter three: 1The Lord Almighty answers, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant.”

Who was the messenger the Lord Almighty sent to prepare the way? John the Baptist. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all quoted this passage in pointing out that John's coming was prophesied, and that it was to prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah. 

Notice again the words of the verse: I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Who was speaking? The Lord Almighty. Not another prophet. God Himself would come *to the Temple*, fulfilling the old covenant and establishing a new covenant. A New Covenant. That covenant was what we call the Good News, 

And then verses two through five speaks of the second Messenger judging and refining. This is referring to the second coming of Jesus. Most of the Old Testament prophets did not see the separation of the two advents, or comings of Jesus. I have used this analogy before. In looking at a mountain range from a distance, you can't see the valleys between the peaks. The peaks are easy to see, and from a distance, they look as if they are the same distance away from you. But there could be, and actually usually is, miles between them, with a valley separating them. This is how the ancient prophets saw the coming of the Messiah. We live in the valley, beloved. The first peak, that of Jesus' first coming, is behind us, and his second coming is still ahead. 

Also in chapter three is a very unique verse. God tells the people that they are guilty of cheating (or robbing from) Him. 8b ‘How?’ you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings. 9A curse is on all of you because the whole nation is cheating me. 10Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple, so that there will be plenty of food there. Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things. 11I will not let insects destroy your crops, and your grapevines will be loaded with grapes.

What was unique? God said, "Put me to the test..." And it was a *command*. Test me. Give as I command, and I will pour out my blessings in abundance. Go ahead, try me. There is no other place in Scripture that compares to this. 

Chapter 4

And finally, the people are reminded to keep the Mosaic law as they w...