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Malachi 3

Ml 3


Malachi 3

1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.



10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?

14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

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Summary and the Meaning of Malachi Chapter 3

The third chapter of the Book of Malachi, one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, presents critical themes and messages that are as relevant today as they were when they were first written. The chapter is primarily centered on the themes of divine judgment, purification, and the call for repentance and faithfulness. It is a chapter that brings to the fore God's unchanging nature, His relentless love for His people, and the dire consequences of disobedience.

The Messenger of the Covenant

Malachi Chapter 3 opens with a prophecy about the coming of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord. This prophecy is widely interpreted by Christian theologians as referring to John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The messenger's mission would be to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord, a reference to the advent of Christ, who would bring a new covenant between God and humanity. The text states, "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3:1 KJV).

The Judgement and Purification

The chapter continues to describe the coming of God as a refiner's fire and a fullers' soap. This metaphor signifies the process of purification and refinement that God's people will undergo. It is a process that will rid them of impurities, symbolizing sin, and refine them like gold and silver. The judgment and cleansing are not intended to destroy but to purify and restore the people to a right relationship with God. The text emphasizes that this process will be painful but necessary, much like the process of refining metals to remove impurities. "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap" (Malachi 3:2 KJV).

The Call for Repentance and Faithfulness

In the later part of this chapter, God, through the prophet Malachi, calls out the people of Israel for their disobedience and unfaithfulness, particularly in the areas of tithes and offerings. God accuses them of robbing Him by withholding their tithes and offerings. He then calls them to repentance, promising blessings upon their obedience. The people are challenged to test God's faithfulness by being faithful in their giving, and in return, God promises to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:10 KJV).

The Book of Remembrance

The chapter also introduces the concept of the 'Book of Remembrance,' written for those who fear the Lord and meditate on His name. This concept is often interpreted as God's way of acknowledging and remembering those who faithfully serve Him. The 'Book of Remembrance' signifies God's attention to individual faithfulness and His promise to spare and reward those faithful to Him. "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name" (Malachi 3:16 KJV).

God's Unchanging Nature

One of the most profound truths revealed in this chapter is the unchanging nature of God. Despite the disobedience and unfaithfulness of the people, God remains committed to His covenant and promises. He declares, "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed" (Malachi 3:6 KJV). This verse underscores the faithfulness of God and the assurance that His promises and covenants are steadfast and unchanging, regardless of human actions or circumstances.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the third chapter of the Book of Malachi is a rich tapestry of divine revelations, prophetic messages, and spiritual lessons. It underscores the divine judgment and purification that awaits God's people, the call to repentance and faithfulness, and the assurance of God's unchanging nature and His enduring love for His people. As we delve into the depths of this chapter, we are challenged to examine our own lives in the light of God's word, to embrace the refining process, to heed the call to repentance and faithfulness, and to take comfort in the unchanging nature of God. Despite the harshness of some of the messages, the underlying theme is one of hope and redemption, a testament to God's relentless love for His people.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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