Malachi 3:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

NIV: and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.

NASB: Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old, and as in former years.

CSB: And the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord as in days of old and years gone by.

NLT: Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.

KJV: Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

NKJV: “Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the Lord, As in the days of old, As in former years.

In several places in Malachi, God indicates that He will no longer accept the offerings of Israel (Malachi 1:10; 2:13). In the case of the priests, this is because they are offering blemished animals (Malachi 1:8). In the case of the people, it is due to their rampant divorce, idolatry, and marrying of non-believers (Malachi 2:11, 14). God goes so far as to say that no worship at all is better than hypocritical, indifferent rituals (Malachi 1:10).

Verses 2 and 3 of this chapter explained that God's plan is to "refine" the priests of Israel. Refiners used fire to melt silver and gold; the heat would burn out the undesirable contaminants. In this way, God's judgment will "burn out" the impure and inappropriate from His people, and leave offerings truly worthy of Him. As verse 5 will show, however, this will not merely be limited to the priests, but will also "refine" all of Israel.

Malachi noted, earlier, that there was a time when Israel honored God correctly (Malachi 2:4–5). The problem with the current situation is not that God has broken His promise. In fact, He has changed nothing (Malachi 3:6). What has changed, for the worse, is the attitude of Israel.

Malachi 2:17—3:6 presents a dangerous accusation from Israel against God, and His sobering response. Israel accuses God of letting the wicked prosper and for not enacting enough justice in the world. God's reply reminds Israel, and us, that the first sin we need to be aware of is our own. God promises to send a messenger, preparing the way for Him. God also predicts the day when He will ''draw near'' for judgment. This uses metaphors including fire and powerful cleaning substances. In short, judgment is coming—to everyone.

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.