Malachi 4 Commentary

In Malachi 4, the prophet informs the members of the post-exilic generation that the LORD will judge and consume the wicked and deliver the righteous on the great day of judgment, the “great and terrible day of the LORD.” In anticipation of that time, Malachi encourages the Judeans to live righteously before the LORD.

Malachi (and the Old Testament) then ends with an announcement that the LORD will send “Elijah”—setting up the opening accounts of the gospels, as John the Baptist was a partial fulfillment of this prophecy. This is remarkable since there will be roughly four hundred years between the book of Malachi and the advent of Jesus.

The chapter’s outline is as follows:

1. Malachi informs the post-exilic Judeans that the Suzerain/Ruler God will defeat the arrogant evildoers and give victory to the righteous, who fear His name. Unlike the judgment fire that will refine His people, the judgment of the wicked will be like chaff in a furnace; they will be consumed (vv. 1–3).
   
   
2. Malachi urges the Jews of his day to live out the Word of God as they await the future “great and terrible day of the LORD.” He also tells them that the LORD will send the prophet Elijah to unite them and reconcile them to Him so they can avoid His judgment. The Old Testament then ends and the Gospels pick up virtually where Malachi leaves off, with John the Baptist partially fulfilling this prophecy of the return of Elijah by coming in the spirit and power of Elijah (vv. 4–6).