Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryMalachi 4

Francis D. Nichol (ed.) and contributors

Malachi 4:1

The day cometh. The prophet gives a solemn assurance to those who ask, “Where is the God of judgment?” (ch. 2:17) that there is a future day in which God will execute judgment and justice upon all the wicked. This is the “day of the Lord” of Joel 1:15; 2:1; Amos 5:18, 20; Zeph. 2:1–3; etc. For comment see on Isa. 13:6; 2 Peter 3:10–12. Shall burn. God’s final judgment upon the wicked is total destruction by fire (see Rev. 20:9; see on Eze. 28:16–19). Proud. The sin of pride is especially offensive to God, and is the only one singled out for mention here by Malachi. Stubble. No stronger language could be used to indicate the complete destruction of the ungodly. They will not linger on in everlasting suffering as is often erroneously believed, but will be as readily consumed as is “stubble” (see Ps. 37:10, 20; Isa. 5:24). Burn them up. The Scriptures know nothing of the popular fallacy of an eternally burning hell. The wicked do not keep on burning endlessly; the fires of the last day will literally “burn them up.” See on Jer. 17:27; Matt. 3:12; 25:41; 2 Peter 3:7–13; Jude 7. Neither root nor branch. A striking figure indicating the utter annihilation of sin and sinners (see on Nahum 1:9). Satan, represented as the “root,” or originator, of evil, and his followers, represented as the branches, are all completely destroyed (see Ps. 37:38).

Ellen G. White

1 (Psalm 11:6; John 8:44). Root and Branches of Evil—The whole work of the father of lies is recorded in the statute books of heaven, and those who lend themselves to the service of Satan, to put forth and present to men the lies of Satan by precept and practice, will receive according to their deeds. Root and branch will be destroyed by the fires of the last days. Satan, the great general of apostasy, is the root, and all his workers, who teach his lies in regard to the law of God, are the branches (Manuscript 58, 1897).

Our message must be as direct as was that of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding the peril his life was in, he never allowed truth to languish on his lips. Our work in this age must be as faithfully done....

In this time of well-nigh universal apostasy, God calls upon His messengers to proclaim His law in the spirit and power of Elias. As John the Baptist, in preparing a people for Christ’s first advent, called their attention to the Ten Commandments, so we are to give, with no uncertain sound, the message: “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” With the earnestness that characterized Elijah the prophet and John the Baptist, we are to strive to prepare the way for Christ’s second advent (The Southern Watchman, March 21, 1905).

Malachi 4:2

The Sun of righteousness. An expressive figure of Christ as the “light of the world” (John 8:12; see John 1:4) and the Source of our righteousness (see Jer. 23:6; 1

Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9). Christ is ever ready to bring spiritual light to His people in times of need. In this sense it may be said that the “Sun of righteousness” arose at the first advent of Christ (see DA 261), and will “arise” in a special way in the time of great moral darkness just preceding His second advent (see PK 716, 717). Grow up. Heb. push, “to spring about,” or “to paw the ground [playfully].” The redeemed are pictured as leaping for joy at the final outcome of God’s justice and love (see GC 673). Calves of the stall. Heb. ‘egle marbeq, “fatted [?] calves.” The exact meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. The RSV reads “calves from the stall.” The LXX reads “young calves let loose from bonds.”

Malachi 4:3

Tread down. The righteousness are pictured as finally victorious over the wicked. See on Isa. 66:24. In the day. See on v. 1. Lord of hosts. See on Jer. 7:3.

Malachi 4:4

Remember ye. Malachi closes his prophecy with an admonition to his people to be obedient to God. Human obedience must precede divine blessing. It is significant that the prophet who closes the OT canon should stress the necessity and the importance of observing God’s instructions to His people given on Mt. “Horeb” (see Lev. 26; Deut. 28). It is significant also that “the law of Moses” was to play an important part in helping people prepare for the day of the Lord. Moses my servant. Evidently he is particularly mentioned because he was the “mediator” (see Gal. 3:19; Deut. 5:5) through whom God’s instructions, His “statutes and judgments,” were given at Sinai (see Ex. 24:12–18; Neh. 10:29).

Malachi 4:5

Elijah the prophet. This prophecy led many of the Jews of later times to expect a return to earth of Elijah himself (see John 1:21). However, this is a prophecy of someone who was to come in “the spirit and power” of Elijah (Luke 1:17), that is, who would preach a message similar to that of Elijah. Before the first advent of Christ this work was done by John the Baptist (Matt. 17:12, 13; Luke 1:16, 17; see on Mal. 3:1), and before the second advent of Christ a similar work will be done by those who preach the three angels’ messages to the world. For further comment see on 1 Kings 18:19–44; Matt. 3:3, 4; 11:14. Day of the Lord. See on Isa. 13:6.

Ellen G. White

5, 6. The Elijah Message—In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. Just such a work as that which John did, is to be carried on in these last days. The Lord is giving messages to His people, through the instruments He has chosen, and He would have all heed the admonitions and warnings He sends. The message preceding the public ministry of Christ was, Repent, publicans and sinners; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees; “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Our message is not to be one of peace and safety. As a people who believe in Christ’s soon appearing, we have a definite message to bear,—“Prepare to meet thy God.”

Malachi 4:6

Turn the heart. The message here foretold would be a message leading to true repentance, and many would “turn to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:16). See on Mal. 3:7. Children. Literally, “sons,” a reference to the literal children of Israel, many of whom would return to the true faith of their fathers, the patriarchs. For further comment see on Luke 1:16, 17. Curse. Heb. cherem, “a thing devoted to destruction” (see on Joshua 7:12; 1 Sam. 15:21). The OT closes with this solemn warning. Those who do not truly repent must be numbered with the wicked and suffer their fate (Mal. 4:1). Nevertheless, Malachi presents a message of hope, for the same God who destroys the guilty brings everlasting “healing” (v. 2) to the repentant.