We now come to the fourth oracle of Malachi. It begins with another statement by the prophet on behalf of God: “You have wearied the Lord with your words,” followed by the response “How have we wearied him?” By ignoring sin and allowing injustice. Craigie writes: “They have become, by their attitudes and actions, functional atheists, not bothering to deny the existence of God, but destroying any link between God and justice, or between the Almighty and good and evil” (DSB:TWELVE PROPHETS, 2:239). They saw God as either negligent or unjust. It made God weary. The word weary can mean physically tired or spent. It also means to be emotional tired, exhaustion as a result of persistent stress and sorrows. Since God cannot be physically weary, they are causing God figuratively to be weary of their unfaithfulness. In a way, it speaks of God’s passion and faithfulness for His people.
Malachi’s answer is God is not unjust, nor is He unfaithful. He will fulfill what He promises. Malachi declares:
- God will fulfill His Word and send His messengers (3:1). The first is John the Baptist; the other will be the Lord Himself. This is clearly a Messianic promise. Interestingly, Malachi’s oracles are the last words of the Old Testament. Four hundred years past. Then at the opening of the New Testament we find the messengers appearing. It is no accident that John in being the forerunner, pictures the coming of Christ as refiner and judge—Matthew 3:10.-12.
- The coming Messiah will have two functions: First, He will come as a refiner. He will come to purify His people. He will be the “smelter and purifier” of Israel (3:3). Second, He comes as judge that will destroy the impurities of sin and sinners (3:5).
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