It hasn't been that long since I referenced this week's chapter, the 4th of Malachi. But this time, let's look at it from the angle of how it connects to the end of chapter three. In the book, Malachi weeds through the excuses the people are giving for their sinfulness. One by one, they are accused of: saying God isn't there for them (1:2), despising His name (1:6), offering defective "sacrifices" (1:8), considering serving God "weariness" (1:13), false tears to cover their sinning (2:13), unfaithfulness (2:14)... it goes on and on. But at the end of chapter three, God has had enough:
Mal 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.
Mal 3:17 "They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.
Mal 3:18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
And that was the problem in Israel- they had ignored the Lord so long, they failed to see any distinction between good and evil in their lives, in that they could just do the 'superficial things', call them good enough, and God should be happy with whatever they felt like bringing to Him.
It doesn't work like that- it never did.
God wants us to bring our all, our first, our best to Him. Not, "Here comes the collection plate, what do I have left in my wallet that I can spare". Not, "Joe asked for prayer, so, God, help out Joe". Not, "That idiot cut me off in traffic, I hope God blasts him!"
The chapter goes on to list promises that God made to BOTH the faithful and the unfaithful- and keep in mind, the unfaithful included all those people in the previous chapters trying to rationalize away their short-shrifting of God.
The promises for the good:
Mal 4:2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Mal 4:4 "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.
Mal 4:5 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
Fear of the Lord equals blessing; remembering the Law equals mercy.
The promises for the evil:
Mal 4:1 "For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal 4:6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."
But there is a verse in the middle that struck me most. I have seen a lot of vengeful, "God's gonna get you for that" type Christians who seemingly long for that day when they'll be able to laugh at the destruction of those who hate them- maybe even hope to 'push them over the edge' into the Lake of Fire. But our interaction with them will be nothing of the sort:
Mal 4:3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.
Ashes. Dirt we won't even notice. Now, how does Malachi suggest we avoid that fate? By remembering God, what He has done for us, and treating Him with fear, respect deserved. By being faithful to His commands, and bringing Him our best every day.
A worthwhile read
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