Malachi 4:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

NIV: Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

NASB: Remember the Law of Moses My servant, the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

CSB: "Remember the instruction of Moses my servant, the statutes and ordinances I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

NLT: Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant — all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel.

KJV: Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

NKJV: “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments.

While this verse appeals to Israel to "remember" the covenant with God, it implies more than just memory. Much of Malachi's message has been about Israel's lack of obedience. God is not merely calling on His people to "recall" His laws, He is pleading for them to obey them. As prior verses have shown, the stakes are enormous. One day, God will bring His final judgment. Those who are faithful will be saved, healed, and set free. Those who ignore God and treat Him with disrespect will be completely destroyed.

This passage also reminds Israel that the commands given to Moses were for "all Israel." This book of prophecy has touched on the priesthood, husbands, and the general nation. God's interest is in each individual person, not just a majority of the crowd. Likewise, this reference to Moses would have brought to mind all of the miracles God did in bringing Israel out of Egypt. A major theme of Malachi is Israel returning to a purer, more sincere form of worship.

Malachi 4:4–6 is not only the conclusion of this book, but also the end of God's prophetic voice on earth for the next four centuries. Between the days of Malachi and John the Baptist, God will not send further messengers to Israel. Here, God issues a final call to Israel to follow His will, promises the return of Elijah, and offers one final warning of the judgment to come.

Malachi chapter 4 is very short, and serves only to finish off the thoughts begun in chapter 3. The impending judgment of God is described in vivid terms. Those who dishonor God will be consumed in a furnace of judgment. Those who respect Him will be healed and set free. Malachi appeals, on behalf of God, for Israel to be faithful to the covenant God made with Moses. After promising the return of Elijah, to once again appeal to the people, God will be silent for four hundred years. This silence will not be broken until the appearance of John the Baptist.

Malachi's structure is a series of back-and-forth waves. Fittingly, this short chapter brings the entire book of prophecy full circle. The opening verses described the utter destruction of Edom. Chapter 4 warns of a judgment coming in ''the day'' of the Lord, in the end times. This completes the various cycles contained in Malachi. It also marks the conclusion to the Old Testament. There will be no further words from God for four centuries, when John the Baptist announces the arrival of the Messiah.

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 5/4/2024 8:07:21 PM