Malachi 3 Study Notes

3:1-5 God’s messenger here is the “voice . . . in the wilderness” of Is 40:3, which the NT interprets as the “Elijah” of Mal 4:5, fulfilled (conditionally) by John the Baptist (Mt 3:3; 11:14; 17:10-13). His goal would be to exhort the people to repent and prepare for God’s other Messenger (see Jn 1:14-17). This “Messenger” is distinguished from God by referring to him as he, and yet also identified with God by calling him the Lord in v. 1 and I in v. 5. The divine-human nature of this messianic bearer of a new covenant (Heb 9:15) may also be seen in other passages such as Zch 12:10-13:9. Verse 1 is quoted in Mt 11:10; Mk 1:2; Lk 7:27.

3:6 In reply to charges that he had been unfaithful, God declared that if he were not the immutable God who did not lie, was not capricious, and whose purposes and promises were irrevocable (Nm 23:19; Ps 89:33-34; Is 46:3-4; Rm 11:26-29; Heb 6:17-18), Israel’s rebellion would have destroyed them long ago (like Edom’s in Mal 1:2-5; cp. Ps 124; Hs 11:9).

3:7-10a The final, climactic address begins with a command to return (Jr 3:22-4:4; 24:7; Hs 14:1-2; Zch 1:3) to the Lord, and it ends with a command to “remember” his instructions (Mal 4:4). Evidence of the people’s return to God would be to resume bringing tithes and other contributions to support the priests, Levites, and landless poor (Lv 27:30-33; Nm 18:8-32; Dt 12:5-19; 14:22-29; 26:12-15; Neh 10:38; 13:10). Such offerings would demonstrate a proper attitude toward their possessions as God’s gifts (Dt 6:10-12; 8:17-18).

3:10b-12 Although testing God with complaining, rebellion, and unbelief is wrong (v. 15; Ex 17:2-7; Ps 95:8-9), testing his faithfulness with our obedience is not. The phrase rendered without measure may also mean “only what you need” (Pr 25:16). The Mosaic covenant promised material blessings or curses (Dt 28) to the nation as a whole, not necessarily to the individual. The book of Job and later Jesus (Mt 19:23-25; Jn 9:3) spoke against such an individual application.

3:13-15 On the harsh words, see Jdg 14-15. Judah’s current difficulties, in light of their perverse understanding of God’s demands and of having a relationship with him, had led them to conclude there was no advantage in serving God (Is 5:20; Mal 2:17). The word for gained refers to dishonest gain (see Is 56:11).

3:16-18 The book of remembrance was the royal archives where the most significant events of a king’s reign were recorded (Ezr 4:15; 5:17). As Mordecai was rewarded on the basis of the royal archives (Est 2:23; 6:1-3), so it will be for all who fear God and treasure his name. Whether such heavenly records exist literally, the many biblical references to them show that God knows and will reward those who belong to him (1Kg 19:18; Ps 56:8; Is 34:16; Dn 7:10; 2Co 5:10; Rv 20:12). God has already determined the day when he will come with compassion to retrieve his own possession (see Ex 19:5; Dt 7:6; 14:1-2; 26:18; Ps 135:4), all who serve him in faith (Ezk 34:11-31; Gl 1:4; Eph 1:14).