Mal 4:4-5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mal 4:4-6: 4:4-6 The book concludes with an epilogue containing appeals to Moses and Elijah, two ideal models of faith in the Lord and of the ideals of the Law and Prophets (see Matt 17:1-4 ). The two are upheld as examples for Malachi’s audience to follow. In ancient Hebrew tradition, the two appeals may have served as postscripts for the scroll that contained the twelve Minor (shorter) Prophets. If so, the first postscript (Mal 4:4 ) connects the scroll to the Law of Moses. The second (4:5-6 ) ties the scroll of the Minor Prophets to the Major (longer) Prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. 4:4 The first postscript reminds Judah to obey the Law of Moses . Israel’s identity was rooted in the Exodus and defined by the Sinai covenant mediated by Moses (see Deut 34:10-12 ).

a4:4-6►

bMatt 17:1-4►

cMal 4:4►

d4:5-6►

e4:4►

fDeut 34:10-12►

g4:5-6►

hLuke 1:17►

iJas 5:17-18►

jMal 3:1►

kMatt 11:11-15►

lLuke 1:17►

‏ Malachi 4:4-5

Summary for Mal 4:4-6: 4:4-6 ^a The book concludes with an epilogue containing appeals to Moses and Elijah, two ideal models of faith in the Lord and of the ideals of the Law and Prophets (see Matt 17:1-4 ^b). The two are upheld as examples for Malachi’s audience to follow. In ancient Hebrew tradition, the two appeals may have served as postscripts for the scroll that contained the twelve Minor (shorter) Prophets. If so, the first postscript (Mal 4:4 ^c) connects the scroll to the Law of Moses. The second (4:5-6 ^d) ties the scroll of the Minor Prophets to the Major (longer) Prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. 4:4 ^e The first postscript reminds Judah to obey the Law of Moses. Israel’s identity was rooted in the Exodus and defined by the Sinai covenant mediated by Moses (see Deut 34:10-12 ^f).
Summary for Mal 4:5-6: 4:5-6 ^g The second postscript warns that divine judgment of the wicked is indeed approaching, and promises divine deliverance and restoration of the righteous.

• Elijah is a supreme example of a prophet of God who preached repentance with messages that were authenticated by signs and wonders (see Luke 1:17 ^h; Jas 5:17-18 ⁱ). Elijah was a forerunner of the day of the Lord (see Mal 3:1 ^j). The New Testament identifies John the Baptist as the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah (see Matt 11:11-15 ^k; Luke 1:17 ^l).