The prophecy of the Day of the Lord (v 1-3)

In the Hebrew Bible, Malachi 4:1 is numbered as 3:19. “‘For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,’ says the Lord of armies, ‘so that it will leave them neither root nor branches’” (v 1). (1) “That day” refers to the Tribulation. Like the flood in Noah’s day, it will come on a worldwide scale. (2) The reason the arrogant and evildoers are completely destroyed is that one of the purposes of the Tribulation is to remove evil from the earth. “‘But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic like calves from the stall’” (v 2). (1) A blessed future is promised to the righteous. (2) The glory of God (“the sun of righteousness”) will shine forth and bring “healing” to the remnant of Israel. This refers to both spiritual healing and physical healing. (3) Furthermore, they will leap for joy like calves released from the stall. (4) On that day, the righteous will tread down “the wicked” (v 3) and will be victorious over them.

Summary (v 4-6)

Verses 4-6 serve as the conclusion of the entire book of Malachi. (1) The people are exhorted to remain faithful to the Law of Moses (v 4). This instruction applies to the period from Malachi’s day until the coming of the two messengers (John the Baptist and the Messiah; ref. 3:1). (2) This period is known as the “Intertestamental Period.” During that time, the Law of Moses became obscured and corrupted by the oral traditions added by the Pharisees and Sadducees. “‘Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with complete destruction’” (v 5-6). (1) John the Baptist was a type of Elijah, but he was not Elijah himself. If this passage is interpreted literally, it means that Elijah will be sent by the Lord before the Tribulation. (2) His mission is to bring reconciliation within families. In Jewish households, divisions often arise when some come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but those divisions will be healed and restored. (3) The book of Malachi concludes with a warning: if the people do not respond to God’s invitation, He will “strike the land with complete destruction.” The period leading up to the Messiah’s Second Coming is a time of God’s patience and mercy. Blessed are those who return to the Lord during this time.