Malachi 3:13-4:6

Summary: Malachi ministered to a people who were significantly disappointed at how life was going since the end of the exile. In short, there seemed to be little sign of God fulfilling his most treasured promises and as a result, many had concluded that serving God was of little benefit (3:14-15). This was having a significant impact on Israel’s spiritual health and manifested itself in things like half-hearted worship, the devaluing of marriage, social injustices, and poor giving. Malachi’s ministry is to stir them out of their short-sighted disappointment and remind them of the distinction that is yet coming between the righteous and the wicked. A distinction that will mean terrible judgment for the wicked, but also unimaginable joy (4:2) for those who revere the Lord.