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Malachi 3

World English Bible

WEB

1“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me! The Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple. Behold, the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, is coming!” says Yahweh of Armies. 2“But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderers’ soap; 3and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to Yahweh offerings in righteousness. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to Yahweh as in the days of old and as in ancient years. 5I will come near to you to judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against the perjurers, and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and who deprive the foreigner of justice, and don’t fear me,” says Yahweh of Armies. 6“For I, Yahweh, don’t change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed. 7From the days of your fathers you have turned away from my ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says Yahweh of Armies. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings. 9You are cursed with the curse; for you rob me, even this whole nation. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be enough room for. 11I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before its time in the field,” says Yahweh of Armies. 12“All nations shall call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says Yahweh of Armies. 13“Your words have been harsh against me,” says Yahweh. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against you?’ 14You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God,’ and ‘What profit is it that we have followed his instructions and that we have walked mournfully before Yahweh of Armies? 15Now we call the proud happy; yes, those who work wickedness are built up; yes, they tempt God, and escape.’ 16Then those who feared Yahweh spoke one with another; and Yahweh listened and heard, and a book of memory was written before him for those who feared Yahweh and who honored his name. 17They shall be mine,” says Yahweh of Armies, “my own possession in the day that I make. I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve him.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Malachi Chapter 3 presents a powerful message from God through the prophet Malachi, addressing the people of Israel about their spiritual state and the coming of the Lord. The chapter begins with a prophecy about the messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord. This messenger is often understood to be #JohnTheBaptist, who would herald the arrival of Jesus Christ, the ultimate messenger of the covenant. The text emphasizes that the Lord Himself will come to His temple, and His presence will be like a refiner's fire, purifying the sons of Levi and refining them like gold and silver (Malachi 3:1-3). This imagery highlights God's desire for holiness and righteousness among His people, calling them to a deeper commitment to Him.

The chapter continues with a call to repentance, as God challenges the Israelites about their faithfulness in tithes and offerings. He accuses them of robbing Him by withholding their tithes, which are essential for the support of the temple and the work of the priests (Malachi 3:8-10). God invites them to test Him in this matter, promising abundant blessings if they return to Him with their full tithes. This promise of blessing underscores the principle of God's provision and faithfulness to those who honor Him with their resources.

Finally, Malachi concludes with a reminder of the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. Those who fear the Lord will be remembered and treasured, while the arrogant and evildoers will face judgment (Malachi 3:16-18). This chapter serves as a call to faithfulness, urging believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to God, knowing that He is just and will reward those who seek Him sincerely. The themes of preparation, repentance, and divine justice resonate throughout, reminding us of the importance of living in accordance with God's will as we await the return of Christ.

#Malachi #ProphetMalachi #Tithes #Repentance #Refiner'sFire

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Referenced by

  1. Leviticus 27:30v10Leviticus 27:30 speaks of the tithe as holy to the Lord, which is echoed in Malachi 3:10, where God challenges His people to bring the full tithe into the storehouse.
  2. Numbers 18:32v8Numbers 18:32 warns the Levites not to profane the holy gifts, which is echoed in Malachi 3:8-10, where the people are admonished for robbing God in tithes and offerings.
  3. Deuteronomy 14:22v10Deuteronomy 14:22 commands the Israelites to tithe, which is reiterated in Malachi 3:10 as a call to bring tithes into the storehouse, promising blessings from God.
  4. 2 Chronicles 31:5v102 Chronicles 31:5 describes the people bringing in the firstfruits and tithes abundantly, which is similar to the exhortation in Malachi 3:10 to bring the full tithe into the storehouse, promising blessings from God.
  5. Nehemiah 10:39v10Nehemiah 10:39 emphasizes bringing tithes to the storerooms of the temple, which is echoed in Malachi 3:10 where God challenges the people to bring the full tithe into the storehouse.
  6. Nehemiah 13:10v8Nehemiah 13:10 addresses the neglect of tithes for the Levites, which is a concern also raised in Malachi 3:8-10, where God accuses Israel of robbing Him by withholding tithes and offerings.
  7. Isaiah 4:4v2Isaiah 4:4 speaks of the Lord washing away the filth of the daughters of Zion, which parallels Malachi 3:2-3 where the Lord is described as a refiner and purifier of silver, purifying the sons of Levi.
  8. Jeremiah 9:7v2Jeremiah 9:7 speaks of God refining His people, a theme also found in Malachi 3:2-3, where God is described as a refiner and purifier of silver.
  9. Ezekiel 22:18-19v2Ezekiel 22:18-19 describes Israel as dross to be melted in a furnace, similar to Malachi 3:2-3, where God is a refiner's fire purifying the sons of Levi.
  10. Zechariah 13:9v3Zechariah 13:9 describes the refining of God's people, similar to Malachi 3:3 where God is depicted as a refiner and purifier of silver, purifying the sons of Levi.
  11. Matthew 11:10v1Matthew 11:10 quotes Malachi 3:1, identifying John the Baptist as the messenger who prepares the way for the Lord, fulfilling the prophecy of a forerunner to the Messiah.
  12. Hebrews 13:8v6Hebrews 13:8 declares Jesus Christ as the same yesterday, today, and forever, reflecting the unchanging nature of God as stated in Malachi 3:6.
  13. James 1:17v6James 1:17 describes God as unchanging, similar to Malachi 3:6, which declares that the Lord does not change.

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