Malachi chapter 4

1 Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord Almighty. Not a root or a branch will be left to them.
2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.


Have you ever watching calves frolicking in the sun? Seen new born animals jumping around as they get used to four legs? Watched children as they come out from school running to their parents?

I love the sense of freedom these verses bring, of how we will be like calves leaping in the sun. I love a sunny day, when you can feel the sun shining on your face, feel the breeze in the air and know that everything is wonderful.

That is just what these verses remind me of, the sense of freedom we have with Jesus. Not the freedom to do as we want, no matter what the consequences but the freedom to do all things in the Spirit, to be the person God always designed us to be, to fulfil our potential and be sons and daughters of God. Wonderful!

Malachi chapter 3

Firstly, the two messengers, the first being John the Baptist, the second Jesus. John the Baptist prepared the people ready for the coming Messiah, just as Malachi prepared the people for the news of the Messiah here.

When Jesus was on earth the first time, He went to the Temple and caused mayhem when he overturned the tables, threw the moneylenders out, and the Pharisees, the teachers of the day, plotted to have him killed. The Pharisees undoubtedly had a hard time with Jesus, not knowing what he was going to do, what he was going to say, and ale to come up with answers for every question they threw at him. They could not endure the day of his coming even when he was coming to save, not to judge. But when Jesus returns, He will be coming to judge. It won't be a nice welcoming party and then everyone goes home reminiscing about what a lovely time they had. Jesus is returning with an army, just see what is says in Revelation 19:

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.
12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no-one knows but he himself.
13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron sceptre. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.

It is easy to get lost in the thought of Jesus returning, the Saviour of the world, Lord of Lord, King of Kings, and I know it will be an awesome time. Yet for many, it will be a time of judgement, a time of reaping what they have been sowing, and it is something that many people choose not to even think about. Jesus will be treading the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God, and those who do not have their name written in the Lamb's Book of Life (the ones who are not listed in the scroll of remembrance here in Malachi?) will not be spared.

The return of Jesus is only good news for believers. For those who choose not to believe, who turn their backs on God, who follow false religions, false gods, who worship fame, money, sex, drugs, and all those other things that fill this world, they will not be able to endure the day of his coming.

This is the reason we need to tell others about Jesus, to let them know, through our words, our actions, the way we live our lives exactly who Jesus is and what he has done for each and every one of us. Time is running out. We are living in the end days and seeing bible prophecy come true before our very eyes.

The return of Jesus is imminent - and where do you stand? Is your name written in the Lamb's book of life, on the scroll of remembrance that Malachi talks about?

Malachi chapter 2

An indictment against the priests and against unfaithfulness to God and to their marriage vows.

But just take a look at verse 7:

For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction— because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty.

A priest is the messenger of the Lord Almighty! That is such an awesome responsibility, to know that you are responsible for passing on the good news of the gospel because you are the messenger of the Lord. But I actually think that this doesn't just apply to priests - each of us believers has been given the great commission (Matthew 28: 19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.). That means that we each have a responsibility to pass on the good news, to let others know about Jesus, and so we too are the messengers of the Lord. We shouldn't let embarrassment, nervousness, uncertainty of the words to use, to let others know. After all, how would you feel if you got to heaven and found out a close friend, relative or neighbour, or even a passing acquaintance was not there because you failed to open your mouth?

I know I am as guilty of this as anyone if not more so. I would far rather use the written word than to actually get up and say something, especially when there are more than one or two people there. But we are messengers of the Lord, we have been entrusted why Jesus with the privilege and task of letting others know about Him, and do you really want to let him down?

Malachi chapter 1

Where does the time go? I posted last Friday, I turned around and blinked and it is already Thursday! I used to think if I had an extra hour every day and an extra day in every week, I'd get everything done. I now realise that 25/8 just wouldn't be enough - I need 48/14 to even stand a chance of getting anything done!

Anyhow, enough of that, here's chapter 1 of Malachi, a book that is full of precious gems.

Well, if ever you thought that God was just a god of the Jews, then take another look at this chapter, because it is as clear as day that God is a god of both Jews and Gentiles. In fact, here He is making the point that the worship He was getting from the Gentiles was better than that of the Jews.

The priests were offering up animals that were blind, lame, crippled and diseased. They paid no attention to the laws of Moses that spoke of giving the first of the harvest, the firstborn, the best. God doesn't want the leftovers, the scraps, the things that we know are no good and not as valuable.

Everything, absolutely everything, we have comes from God. He created the earth, the sun, moon and stars, Jesus was there speaking the world into existence as the Holy Spirit moved across the waters (which, on an aside, shows teamwork, and the benefits of working together!). If you truly believe in the God who created everything there is around us, then doesn't He deserve the best you have to offer, because without him, what do you have that will last?

He deserves the best of:

• Our time - not a few rushed minutes here and there as we go about our daily business, work, college, school, bringing up the family and so on, or a quick prayer last thing at night before we go to sleep;
• Our money - and yes, this is a controversial subject with some choosing to tithe and others not, but either way, if we are called to give money, then we should do it as an offering to God, not begrudgingly, thinking all the time of what we could have spent the money on if only we didn't have to give to such and such;
• Our efforts - whatever we do we should do it as if we are doing it for God, with a cheerful heart. So whether we are cleaning toilets, or governing the country, or just sitting at our computers, or doing the weekly shopping, we should do it as if God is right before us (which He is anyway), and do the best possible job;
• Our worship and praise - it's not a case of turning up on Sunday morning, singing a few songs whilst our minds are busy working out what we are going to be doing later in the day, in the coming week, or thinking back on what has happened, or dwelling on our problems and concerns. How can we worship God is our minds are busy elsewhere? When we are only paying lip service to the words in the hymns/songs, when we listen to the sermon but don't hear it? And what about the rest of the week? Would others know form our behaviour that we are Christians, or are we consumed by this world and all that is in it, so that there is no difference between us and a non believer?
• Our thoughts, our behaviour - God has a direct link to each one of us and can see into our hearts, our minds. He knows exactly what we are thinking, what we have done, what we are planning on doing, He knows the past, present and future. It’s not a case of moderating our thoughts like we do our behaviour, but of allowing God, through the Holy Spirit, to change us from within so that we become more like Jesus, and gradually, we will have no need to censor our thoughts, our behaviour, because it will be second nature to do as God wills. God wants the very best for us, is He is not going to do anything to us that will harm us.

But the Israelites here were doing the exact opposite of what God wanted. They were paying lip service to worship, just turning up because it was expected, or it was the time for this festival, that event. They sacrificed the animals they could spare, the runt of the litter, the damaged goods, and gave offerings of what was left over. The priests, the leaders, condoned this behaviour, allowing diseased and crippled animals to be sacrificed, yet they knew the Law and how the animals were supposed to be without blemish, without fault. Their actions led the people to believe that God was OK with all this, that he found their sacrifice, any sacrifice, pleasing. But what sacrifice is it when you give an animal that is good for nothing, or the poorest quality grain because you are keeping the best to sow?

This was in direct contrast to other nations, where God was worshipped wholeheartedly, He was given the honour and praise that is His right, and from the rising to the setting of the sun, His name was great amongst the nations. And reading this again, I don't think this is necessarily in Malachi's time either that the comparison was made between the worship of the Jews and that of the Gentiles. I think this applies just as much today as then, because God is a god of the past, present and future, and time holds no bars for Him.

Malachi - Introduction

After Zechariah, comes Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament.

It is unknown at what time Malachi prophesied; but, it is certain that Malachi's desire was for the Israelites to renew their covenant relationship with God. A spirit of worldliness prevailed among the Israelites just as it does in our communities today. Malachi pointed out the sins that separated the Israelites from experiencing the blessings of God and he appealed to them to repent (Malachi 3:7).

In chapter 1, Malachi first pleaded with Israel to return in full repentance to the Lord who loved them.

Then, in chapter 2, he appealed to the priests, pointing out their hypocrisy.

And, in chapter 3, he prophesied of both the coming Messiah and John the Baptist probably 400 years before the Christian era:

Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come (3:1; Luke 7:27).

Finally, like other prophets before him, Malachi foretold the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5), when all the proud . . . and all that do wickedly will be destroyed.
But unto you that fear (reverence) My Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings (4:1-2).