Malachi 3:1-6
3:1 a my messenger (Hebrew mal’aki): This is a wordplay on Malachi’s name. The messenger may be either an angel or a human being functioning as a divine courier. Jesus identified John the Baptist by pointing to this passage (see Matt 11:10 b; Mark 1:2 c; Luke 7:27 d).• Malachi’s audience probably would have understood the messenger of the covenant to be a divine being (cp. Exod 23:20-23 e). The Christian church has understood Jesus Christ to be the messenger of the new covenant.
3:2 f blazing fire: The dross of the people’s wickedness must be burned away by the fires of divine testing and chastisement (Isa 1:25 g; Jer 6:29 h; Ezek 22:22 i).
• strong soap: An alkaline detergent was made from plants (see Jer 2:22 j). The blazing fire and strong soap signify the testing (by smelting) and cleansing (by laundering) that would restore Israel’s faithfulness to its covenant with the Lord.
3:5 k The words eager to witness suggest a legal proceeding in which God is both prosecuting attorney (accuser) and key witness (provider of evidence) against postexilic Judah.
• Sorcerers practiced witchcraft, black magic, or fortune-telling for personal gain.
• The coming day of God’s judgment would either purify the sinful Judeans (3:3 l) or destroy them (4:1-2 m).
Summary for Mal 3:6-12: 3:6-12 n Malachi’s fifth message echoes the first (1:2-5 o) by emphasizing God’s faithfulness to his promises. He calls Israel to a similar faithfulness in worship, especially in giving their tithes and offerings. If Malachi is a courtroom drama, the fifth message is the judge’s verdict. The real message is repentance—God wants honest and sincere worship from his people, of which tithing is a symbol.
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