Malachi 3:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

NIV: And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

NASB: So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

CSB: So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

NLT: Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.'

KJV: Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

NKJV: Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.

Verses 16 and 17 described the reaction of those who responded correctly to Malachi's warnings. God promises to remember their faithfulness. This is an important vow, since the immediate context is one of severe judgment. Even though good people are often caught up in the consequences of other people's sins, God does distinguish between those who follow Him and those who do not.

Malachi's promised judgment is meant, in part, to show the world this exact divide. God's coming retribution will demonstrate which people belong to God and which people defy Him. This will not be the first such distinction made by God. God's plagues during the Exodus were meant, primarily, to show His superiority over the gods of Egypt. Other miracles during that time were dependent on the cooperation of the people—so those who obeyed were distinguished from those who rebelled.

The brief passage marked as chapter 4 will continue this message of judgment and promise. As with the end of chapter 3, God's prediction includes both wrath for the wicked and protection for the righteous.

Malachi 3:13—4:3 shows that even as the nation of Israel has been unfaithful, there are individuals among the people who are faithful. At the very least, they are willing to respond to God's correction. As a result, God promises to protect them from the upcoming wrath. This reckoning is described in dramatic, fiery terms. Part of the purpose of this particular judgment is to distinguish the wicked from the righteous. In this case, those who follow God will be healed and set free. Those who do not will be completely consumed.

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.

Accessed 4/29/2024 1:37:44 PM