Malachi 3

The Messenger of the Covenant

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 covenantCovenant: בְּרִית (Berit). The Hebrew berit (בְּרִית) denotes a covenant—a binding agreement, often ratified by blood sacrifice. God's covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic) structure redemptive history, culminating in the New Covenant., whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. References Lord: Malachi 2:7, 4:5, Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:76. Temple: Luke 19:47. Parallel theme: Exodus 23:20, Isaiah 9:6, 63:9, Acts 7:38, 19:4 +5

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' sope: Parallel theme: Malachi 4:1, Psalms 2:7, Isaiah 1:18, 4:4, Zechariah 13:9, Luke 3:9, 3:17, 21:36, Hebrews 12:25, Revelation 6:17 +5

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. References Lord: Proverbs 17:3, Zechariah 13:9. Sacrifice: Philippians 2:17. Righteousness: Psalms 4:5. Parallel theme: Psalms 66:10, Isaiah 1:25, Daniel 12:10, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 12:10, Revelation 3:18 +5

4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., as in the days of old, and as in former years. References Lord: Zechariah 8:3. Sacrifice: Isaiah 56:7

5 And I will come near to you to judgmentJudgment: מִשְׁפָּט (Mishpat). The Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment or justice—God's righteous decisions and ordinances. God is the Judge of all the earth who 'shall do right' (Genesis 18:25), executing perfect justice.; 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. Judgment: Deuteronomy 27:19, Hebrews 13:4. References Lord: Deuteronomy 5:11, James 5:4. Witness: Malachi 2:14. Parallel theme: Leviticus 19:13, 20:6, 20:27, Revelation 21:8, 22:15 +5

Robbing God

6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. References Lord: Psalms 103:17, Isaiah 44:6, Jeremiah 32:27, Revelation 1:8. Parallel theme: Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Hebrews 6:18, 13:8, James 1:17, Revelation 22:13 +5

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? References Lord: Jeremiah 3:22, Hosea 14:1, Zechariah 1:3. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 31:20, Nehemiah 9:26, Isaiah 65:2, Luke 15:16, Romans 10:3, 10:21, James 4:8 +5

8 Will a man rob GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity.? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. References God: Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25. Sacrifice: Malachi 1:8, 1:13. Parallel theme: Joshua 7:11, Psalms 29:2, Romans 2:22, 13:7 +4

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Curse: Malachi 2:2, Joshua 22:20, Isaiah 43:28

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 heavenHeaven: שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim). The Hebrew shamayim (שָׁמַיִם) means heaven or sky—God's dwelling place and the realm above earth. 'The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's' (Psalm 115:16), yet 'the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him' (1 Kings 8:27)., and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. References Lord: Leviticus 27:30, 2 Kings 7:2, Psalms 37:3. Blessing: Deuteronomy 28:12. Sin: Nehemiah 12:47, 13:5. Parallel theme: Leviticus 26:10, Numbers 18:21, Nehemiah 12:44, Matthew 6:33 +5

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 LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. of hosts. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 11:14, Joel 1:4, 2:20, 2:22, Zechariah 8:12

12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. References Lord: Deuteronomy 11:12, 2 Chronicles 32:23, Zechariah 8:23. Light: Isaiah 62:4. Blessing: Psalms 72:17, Isaiah 61:9, Luke 1:48. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 33:9, Daniel 8:9, 11:41 +5

14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity.: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? References Lord: Joel 2:12, Zephaniah 1:12. References God: Job 22:17, 34:9. Parallel theme: Job 35:3, Isaiah 58:3, James 4:9 +2

15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Evil: Malachi 2:17, 4:1

16 Then they that feared the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. 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. References Lord: Malachi 3:5, Acts 9:31, Revelation 15:4. Parallel theme: Malachi 4:2, Psalms 56:8, Isaiah 26:3, Acts 10:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24, Revelation 20:12 +5

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. References Lord: Malachi 1:6, Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, Psalms 135:4, Jeremiah 31:33, 2 Corinthians 6:18. Parallel theme: Exodus 19:5, Romans 8:32, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 2:9 +5

18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteousRighteous: צַדִּיק (Tzaddik). The Hebrew tzaddik (צַדִּיק) describes one who is righteous, just, or lawful—conforming to God's standard. From the root tzedek (צֶדֶק), meaning righteousness or justice. and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. References God: Acts 16:17, 27:23, 1 Thessalonians 1:9. Righteousness: Genesis 18:25, Job 6:29, Matthew 25:46. Evil: Malachi 1:4, Joshua 24:15. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 12:15, John 12:26 +5