Malachi 3:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts.

NIV: I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,' says the LORD Almighty.

NASB: Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground; nor will the vine in the field prove fruitless to you,' says the Lord of armies.

CSB: I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your land and your vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit," says the Lord of Armies.

NLT: Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

KJV: And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

NKJV: “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;

Israel's covenant agreement with God included both positive and negative promises. If Israel complied, God had promised blessings. If Israel disobeyed, God vowed consequences (Deuteronomy 28:15–68). Verse 10 was an appeal for Israel to honor this agreement by bringing "the full tithe" to God's house. Prior verses, such as Malachi 3:8, explained that withholding part of God's required tithe was an act of robbery.

In this case, it seems that the primary benefit promised is agricultural. Compared to modern farmers, ancient cultivators struggled greatly to combat insects and other natural threats to their crops. God's assurance that "the devourer" would not affect their crops is a promise of prosperity, so long as Israel honors their end of the agreement.

As with prior verses, it's important to remember that this two-sided covenant is between Israel and God, not between God and all Christian believers. In other words, this part of Malachi does not ensure material prosperity to believers who serve, donate to, or tithe on behalf of God. God certainly blesses those who are generous towards His church (Philippians 4:14–19), but this is not always a material return.

Malachi 3:7–12 is both a reminder and an encouragement to Israel. God's covenant through Moses included positive promises, in response to obedience. However, it also included negative consequences, in response to defiance. Israel has been ''robbing'' God by failing to pay His tithes. Israel's lack of success, in this case, is partly because of their own disobedience. Even so, God promises to restore Israel's fortunes if they will be faithful. Though often mis-applied, these requirements and promises are meant only for Israel, not all believers at all times.

The final message, completed in chapter 4, is an appeal for God's chosen people to return. God would prefer to see them redeemed, than to be destroyed, when the end finally comes. This passage includes God's promise to send a messenger heralding the Messiah. And, that the Promised One will someday rule and conquer the wicked. In the meantime, Israel must stop ''robbing'' Him by withholding His tithes and offerings. Only God's unchanging nature has kept Israel from destruction. At the same time, God will remember those who have been faithful during these faithless times.

Malachi's first message, to the priests, ended in chapter 2. The prophecy then shifts to accuse Israel of unfaithfulness across chapter 2 and the beginning of chapter 3. The final message covers the last half of chapter 3 and all of the short fourth chapter. This last warning is centered on Israel's failure to pay God His tithes and offerings, as well as a promise to send Messiah to judge all sin.

Malachi is the last message of prophecy given to Israel prior to 400 years of silence. Israel has rebuilt the temple, following the invasions of Babylon, but they are still under foreign oppression. Israel's spiritual condition, however, is dire. Hosea depicted Israel as prone to failure, but repentant. Later, Ezekiel exposed Israel's blatant disobedience. By the time of Malachi, Israel has passed into numbness and apathy. Unlike other Old Testament prophets, Malachi takes the form of a dialogue, where Israel responds to accusations as if unaware that they've occurred. The next prophetic voice from God would not come until the ministry of John the Baptist.