◄ What Does Malachi 3:6 Mean? ►

Like so many holy men of God, the writing of Malachi is a reminder to Israel of the covenant relationship that they have with Jehovah when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. The covenant was conditional and contained promises of blessings for faithfulness and a devotion to God, but gave warning of cursing for lack of faithfulness, neglect of God, and unbelief in His Word.

Like so many prophetic books, Malachi admonishes the ungodly practices of the priests, the gross idolatry of the people, the oppression of the poor, the rejection of God's holy Law, and the overall moral and spiritual decline of the entire nation of Israel.

God had been true to His Word and had to punish the erring nation of Israel by sending them into exile as had been clearly outlined in the Law given to Moses, and God demonstrated His unchanging nature by bringing them out of captivity, reinstating them in their homeland, and allowing them to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple as was foretold by earlier prophetic Scriptures.

But as in past prophetic utterances, the burden of Malachi was a call for Israel to respond to God's unfailing and unchanging love and a warning of their refusal to do so. He exhorted them to honour the Lord their God and put the hope and trust in His unfailing resources, while outlining the serious consequences of continuing in sin and rebelling against their God and King. And as with other prophetic books, we discover that the promises God made to Israel through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David will never fail, giving hope that despite their widespread apostasy, there is a remnant of Israel that will one day receive all that God has promised for He is the Lord Who changes not and Whose promises stand fast for ever and ever.

Like much of the Old Testament, the prophecy of Malachi was specifically written to Israel and not to the New Testament Church. Nevertheless, it remains a vital tool to help us recognise that we are sinners in need of salvation and is an effective schoolmaster that points us to Christ. And as with all Scripture, the principles and precepts that are found in the book of Malachi are most certainly written for our learning.

What we discover is a steadfast God Who, through time and into eternity, is faithful to His Word. He is a patient God Who is long-suffering and of great goodness; an immutable God Who is unchanging and unchangeable; a God Who will never go back on His Word, either the earthly promises which He gave to nation of Israel or the many precious promises which by grace through faith in Christ, He has given to the Church, which is His Body.

May we study to show ourselves approved unto God and rightly divide the Word of truth. May we lift up our voices in praise and thanksgiving that He is the unchanging and unchangeable God Who is faithful and true, long-suffering, of great mercy, and Who changes not. How we praise Him that He loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Heavenly Father, how I praise and thank You that You are the unchanging and unchangeable God. Great is Your faithfulness to Your people, Israel, and great is Your faithfulness to the Church, the Body of Christ. Thank You that Your Word remains fixed forever and that Your promises to both Israel and the Church can never change, for You are the immutable God Whose Word stands fast forever. I praise Your name forever and ever, AMEN.