Malachi Chapter 4 — The Day of the Lord and Elijah's Return
This chapter describes the coming day of the Lord, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the restoration of those who fear God's name.
1“For behold, the day comes, burning like a furnace, when all the proud and all who work wickedness will be stubble. The day that comes will burn them up,” says the LORD of Armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
2But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves of the stall.
3You shall tread down the wicked; for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make,” says the LORD of Armies.
4“Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances.
5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes.
6He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Malachi 4:2
“But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves of the stall.”
This verse is notable for its vivid imagery of divine restoration and comfort for the faithful.
Malachi 4:5
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes.”
This is a key prophecy regarding the return of Elijah as a precursor to the final judgment.
Chapter Summary
Malachi Chapter 4 serves as the conclusion to the book of Malachi and the Old Testament. It describes a coming day of judgment, likened to a burning furnace that will consume the proud and wicked, leaving them without root or branch. In contrast, those who fear God are promised that the sun of righteousness will arise, bringing healing and causing them to leap with joy like calves from a stall. The text instructs the people to remember the law given to Moses at Horeb, including its statutes and ordinances. Finally, the chapter prophesies that Elijah the prophet will be sent before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. His mission is to reconcile the hearts of fathers and children, preventing the earth from being struck with a curse. This message emphasizes both the refining justice of God and His desire for restoration and family unity.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text describes the sun of righteousness as arising with healing in its wings for those who fear God's name. It symbolizes a time of restoration and joy, where the faithful will leap like calves released from a stall.
The chapter concludes with a prophecy that God will send Elijah the prophet before the 'great and terrible day of the LORD.' His mission is to turn the hearts of parents and children toward one another to avoid a curse on the land.
The text states that the day of the Lord will be like a furnace, burning the proud and wicked until they are like stubble. They are described as being reduced to ashes under the feet of the righteous.
Study Note
The mention of Horeb in verse 4 is a direct reference to Mount Sinai, where the Israelites received the law through Moses.
Related Chapters
Exodus Chapter 20
Malachi 4:4 reminds the people to remember the law of Moses given at Horeb, which includes the Ten Commandments found here.
Matthew Chapter 11
This New Testament chapter provides context on how the prophecy of Elijah's return in Malachi 4:5 was understood and fulfilled.
Malachi Chapter 3
The previous chapter provides the immediate context for the warnings of judgment and promises of the messenger to come.
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