The Messenger ∙∙-
I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. – Malachi 3:1
Malachi 3:1-4
“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.
He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.
Then once more the LORD will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.”
Messaging: From SMS to Divine Communication
As the 20th century came to a close, a groundbreaking technology emerged: Short Message Service (SMS). Initially limited to simple alphanumeric characters, SMS quickly evolved to include digital images, videos, sounds, and emojis. The innovation of text messaging, or texting, debuted in the United Kingdom in 1992 and revolutionized communication, making it faster, more efficient, and more accessible.
However, the idea of messaging is far from new. Long before modern technology, the Father delivered His messages through His prophets. These divine messages often included both good and bad news, urging people to repent and return to Him.
In Hebrew, the word for “messenger” is malak, while in Greek, it is aggelos, from which the English word “angel” is derived. The prophet Malachi’s name translates to “my messenger” in English. His messages transcend time, offering timeless truths and guidance that remain relevant across generations and cultures.
Malachi: The Final Messenger of the Old Testament
Malachi’s book was written during a period of transition. It marks a crucial moment in biblical history. As the final prophet to write in the Old Testament, Malachi delivered his messages to the Jewish people in Judea between 450 BC and 425 BC, after their return from the Babylonian exile. His words signify the end of the Old Testament period and the beginning of a time of divine silence that lasted over 400 years.
This silence is acknowledged in Jewish historical writings, such as 1 Maccabees in the Apocrypha. The Jewish people recognized that there are no true prophets among them.
1 Maccabees 9:27: “So there was great distress in Israel, the worst since prophets ceased to appear among them.”
1 Maccabees 14:41: “The Jews and their priests have resolved that Simon should be their leader and high priest forever until a trustworthy prophet arises.”
This period of silence was ultimately broken by the voice of John the Baptist, who proclaimed his message in the wilderness, preparing the way for the first coming of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Connection Between Malachi and John the Baptist
Malachi’s prophecy predicted the coming of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord. This prophecy is fulfilled in John the Baptist, the first prophet of the New Testament. The Old Testament ends without the arrival of the expected King or kingdom, while the New Testament begins with the arrival of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ.
But how can we be confident that John is the messenger Malachi spoke of? In a time when opinions often overshadow scriptural truths, it is crucial to base this understanding on the Scriptures. John the Baptist was the promised messenger who introduced the Lord Jesus Christ as King of Israel. This fact is confirmed by Jesus Himself, Matthew 11:10: “John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’”
Christ’s words connect Malachi’s prophecies to John the Baptist. Malachi’s message predicted the coming of the Messiah, the King of Israel. John’s preaching in the desert fulfills that prophecy. John the Baptist preached a message of repentance, urging people to prepare their hearts for the Messiah’s arrival by repenting of their sins.
REFLECT & PRAY
The words of Malachi and John the Baptist remind us of the Father’s desire to communicate with His people. Just as John prepared the way for the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father continues to send messages to guide, challenge, and restore the children of the King.
Father, Your gentle and caring heart wants to connect with each of Your children. As You send us messages, help us stay open to receiving them. May John the Baptist’s words prepare our hearts to walk with You.
INSIGHT
Confrontation with Defiance
Malachi stands out among the minor prophets because of his bold and confrontational tone. His book reads like a heated argument between Malachi, the devoted servant of the Father, and the stubborn, materialistic religious leaders of his time. These leaders, despite suffering the devastating consequences of their actions, remained unyielding and unrepentant. The consequences were horrific: the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, the end of Davidic kingship, and 70 years of Babylonian captivity.
Rather than learning from past mistakes, they returned from exile only to squander their time and resources on personal pursuits. Instead of dedicating themselves to worshiping the Father and rebuilding the Temple, they dishonored Him with subpar offerings. The Mosaic law required the finest unblemished sacrifices, but they presented blind, crippled, and diseased animals, mere paltry leftovers. Their petty, lackluster offerings were essentially good for nothing
The Father’s Indignation
The Father’s response to their actions, conveyed through Malachi, is fiery and unrelenting. His words burn with righteous anger, revealing the leaders’ contempt and hypocrisy.
Malachi 1:6-14:
“The LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: ‘A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!’
‘But you ask, “How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’”
‘You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar. . .. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
‘How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, ‘and I will not accept your offerings.’
‘But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world, they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
‘But you dishonor my name with your actions. . .. You say, “It’s too hard to serve the LORD,” and you turn up your noses at my commands,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. ‘Think of it! Animals that are stolen, crippled, and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?’ asks the LORD.
‘Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, ‘and my name is feared among the nations!’”
The people are in total denial! Their bellicose blindness is staggering. They claim innocence, asking, “What’s the problem? We’ve done nothing wrong!” Their attitude reflects a deep-seated apathy and entitlement. They even go so far as to say, “It’s just too hard to serve the LORD,” as if honoring the Creator of the universe was an unreasonable burden.
Malachi 1:13: “You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’ and you turn up your noses at my command.”
Robbing God
The Father does not mince words; He calls their actions robbery. By withholding their best and offering only what was convenient, they were actually stealing from the living God.
Malachi 3:8: “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.”
Their actions reveal a profound lack of reverence and gratitude. They failed to recognize that everything they had belonged to the Father, and their offerings were meant to reflect their love and devotion to Him.
A Call for Self-Reflection
Before rushing to condemn the actions of ancient Israel, it is essential to engage in some self-reflection and examine our own hearts. Are we guilty of the same attitudes? Do we offer the Father our very best, or do we give Him only what remains after we’ve satisfied our own desires?
Consider this: when was the last time a church received a brand-new piano instead of a used one? How often do we prioritize our own comfort and convenience over honoring God with excellence?
As I reflect on Malachi’s words, I can almost hear him standing before me, confronting my misplaced priorities and poor decisions. A sense of heaviness fills my heart as I realize that I, too, have robbed God. My actions, like those of ancient Israel, reveal a need for repentance and a renewed commitment to honor the Father with my best.
Malachi’s message is not just a historical account; it is a timeless call to reexamine our relationship with the Father and to offer Him the honor and devotion He deserves.
Deep down, I realize I am not so different from the rebellious children of ancient Israel.
I too rob God!
¯\_(ツ)_/¯11-02-4
© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 