Malachi 4: The Story continues…

​Key Verse
5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.
 
Meditation
The Old Testament concludes as a story in search of an ending. The comprehensive nature of God’s covenant love will not cease redeeming and restoring until the consummation of history under the gracious authority of God’s total rule and reign.
 
Today’s reading is the last chapter of the Old Testament, pointing forward in anticipation of God’s faithfulness to reveal a greater fulfillment than a rebuilt temple for returned exiles. God will punish the evil doers with the fire of His wrath (v. 1). God will redeem and restore all who trust in Him and the joyful regeneration centers on God’s victory over evil (vv. 2-3). Living in the time between God’s already mercy but not yet fully established kingdom, His people were to remember the authority of His word (v. 4) and look forward to the messenger God will send to prepare the way for the King’s coming (vv. 4-6).
 
Jesus declares John the Baptist is the fulfillment of Malachi’s promised messenger (Matthew 11:4). God’s faithfulness to fulfill His first coming deepens our anticipation for His second coming when He will fully consummate His kingdom. God promises a day when those who do not serve Him as king will hide from the wrath He will bring (Revelation 6:15-17). Those made righteous by faith in the King, trusting His covenant faithfulness, will live in the renewed world He will bring, a New Heavens and New Earth consummated under Jesus’ loving rule and reign (Revelation 21-22).
 
Christians know how the story ends! We must trust God’s covenant faithfulness until Christ comes again.
 
Today’s Reading
“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.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. 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.

4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 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.”
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about this window in to God’s story moving forward?
 
-Where is comfort found for you with this revelation of God’s total authority over history, even over the wicked and evil doers in the world?
 
-Christ is the Lord of History and the King who will sit on the throne in the New Jerusalem. He already rules though His authority is not yet fully consummated. How can you celebrate His rule in your heart, home, neighborhood, and daily life?
 
Key Verse
5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.