Christ in Malachi

The last book of the Old Testament opens with a sentence the people could not feel - I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? (v. 2) - and the whole chapter is the LORD answering His people’s doubt of His love. That love, set on an undeserving people who could not see it, is the love the Gospel carries to its height: God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8); we love him, because he…

Malachi 2 lays a heavy weight on those who teach - the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts (v. 7) - and indicts priests who have caused many to stumble at the law (v. 8). The New Testament takes up the same charge: be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (Jas. 3:1); and the One who is Himself the faithful Teacher pronounces a fearful word…

Malachi 3 opens with a promise the Gospels reach for by name: Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me (v. 1). Jesus quotes this very verse of John the Baptist - This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee (Matt. 11:10; cf. Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27). And the One the messenger announces is named in the same breath: the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple,…

Malachi 4 is the last chapter of the Old Testament, and it ends leaning forward into the dark toward a coming One. The proud face a day that shall burn as an oven (v. 1), but to those who fear the LORD’s name comes the great promise of the prophets: unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings (v. 2). The New Testament receives that promise as the dawning of Christ upon a world in darkness - the dayspring from on high hath visit…