Malachi 4 Commentary

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. 

Malachi urges the Judeans 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 that 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 by coming in the spirit and power of Elijah.