The Day of Judgment and Salvation
Malachi 3:13-4:6
13 “Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? 15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”
The Book of Remembrance
16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of rememberance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spare his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
The Great Day of the Lord
4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.
4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.
5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
1. God Hears the Word of the Arrogant(3:13-15)
"You have spoken arrogantly against me," says the Lord.
The people questioned God’s justice by saying, "It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out His requirements?"
This wasn’t just a complaint-it was a direct challenge to God, shaped by bitterness and self interest.
Even today, many ask, "What good is faith?"
When righteousness seems unrewarded, and the wicked thrive, our faith may be tested. But true faith does not rely on visible outcomes-it trust in God’s unseen providence.
Reflection Questions
-Have I ever felt or said that serving God is useless?
-When I don’t see immediate results in my faith, how do I respond?
2. God Remembers Those who Fear Him(3:16-18)
"A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord."
In the midst of cynicism, some still feared the Lord and encouraged one another.
God Listened. He took notice. He recorded their name in His book of remembrance. He calls them His treasured possession, and He promises to protect and honor them like a father loves his son.
Even if the difference between good and evil seems blurry now, the day will come when God will make the distinction clear.
Reflection Questions
-Are my words and actions worth recording in God’sbook.
-Am i walking faithfully even when no one notices?
-Do I seek recognition from people or God?
3. The Righteous and the Wicked- Two Very Different Endings (4:1-3)
“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace.”
The day of the Lord will come like fire. The arrogant and wicked will be like chaff-burned up, leaving neither root nor branch. But for those who reverence His name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. They will be renewed, like calves leaping for joy from the stall.
The same day brings destruction to some, and healing to others. The dividing line is simple: Did you fear the Lord? Or did you reject Him?
Reflection Questions :
-Do i live as though God’s judgment is real and coming?
-Is my faith producing hope, joy, and integrity in my life?
-Am I preparing for the day of the Lord -or ignoring it?
4. Remember the Law, and Turn Your Heart(4:4-6)
“I will send the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day.”
God ends not just with a warning, but with a path of return. He calls His people to remember the covenant - the law given through Moses. And He promises to send Elijah(fulfilled in John the Baptist), who would prepare hearts for the coming of the Lord.
His mission is reconciliation: turning the heats of fathers to children, and children to fathers. This is a picture of spiritual revival and covenant restoration.
Reflection Questions :
-Am I living with a heart turned toward God and His Word?
-Is there any relationship in my life that needs healing and reconciliation?
-Do I walk in daily remembrance of God’s covenant with me?
Summary:
-God hears both arrogant complaints and reverent whispers.
-God remembers those who fear Him-even when no one else does.
-The day of the Lord will reveal everything: motives, loyalties, and destinies.
-God’s justice is certain, but so is His mercy for those who turn to Him.
“Return to me with all your heart. The day is coming.”
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