4. What does Malachi challenge the people to look back and remember and to look forward to in 4:4–6?
FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH
DAY OF THE LORD The day of the Lord is a phrase that is generally associated with events at the end of time and is found in both the Old and New Testaments. It indicates a time when God will personally intervene to accomplish an aspect of His plan, namely judgment on those who have set themselves up as enemies of God, and salvation for those who love Him. Malachi ends his prophecy with an announcement that God “will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the L ord comes” (Mal. 4:5). Elijah was a prophet in Israel who confronted a wicked king during the period of the monarchy after King David (1 Kings 17–18). Malachi tells of a time when one like Elijah will come as a messenger to prepare the way for the Messiah (Mal. 3:1), and Jesus identi- fies John the Baptist as this Elijah figure, roughly 400 years later (Matt. 11:14). However, we continue to wait for the day of the Lord, when Jesus will judge and purify the whole of creation. In both Old and New Testaments, that day is presented as imminent. As believers, we are told to be watchful and to be ready for Christ to come at any moment (Matt. 24:42). We wait not with dread, but with the hopeful expectation of our Savior. 69 5. Malachi’s last words bridge the Old and the New Testaments: the Mosaic law with the promise of Elijah and the day of the Lord (4:4–6). Elijah 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 [curse] of utter destruction” (v. 6). If the people remember the law, along with God’s love, commands, and cov- enant promises, and they obey (Deut. 6:4–9), then they will experience hope for the future. What attributes of God do you see displayed? (See 4:4–6.) What must be changed to be spared of the curse?
69 “What is the ‘great and dreadful day of the Lord’ (Malachi 4:5)?” Got Questions: Your Questions, Biblical Answers. March 2025. https://www.gotquestions.org/great-and-dreadful-day.html
258 | Lesson 25
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