When you look at your Bibles, you’ll notice that Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. Malachi’s writings are the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The prophet Malachi writes between the sixth and fifth century before the birth of Christ. Right after Malachi we have the Gospel of Matthew. This means that Malachi’s writings somehow lead us to the language of the coming of the Messiah who comes to liberate the people. The one whom God promised. A Saviour.

Where do we have this prophetic language in Malachi? The day is coming, burning like an oven (Malachi 4:1) This is called Messianic language. “The day” is always in reference to the Messiah. The Messiah is coming.  Malachi speaks of the unjust, the wicked, who rule with pride and arrogance. Their indifference to God and God’s commands. When this day comes, they will be ash and rubble. In other words, burned and destroyed. Clearly a day of judgment. To respect God is to love him with our actions. The language is powerful and dramatic because this will occur, “when the day comes.”
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The contrast is with those who honour and respect the name of God, “revere my name; things will be different.” The sun of righteousness refers to the light, the rising sun, who not only brings light into a world of darkness and sin, but also healing for those who have suffered by the wicked. A few verses down at verse 5 Malachi speaks of Elijah being sent, “Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” Elijah is the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. But now, who can Elijah be before the day of the Lord comes? Elijah, in fact, is understood to be John the Baptist. Why John the Baptist? Because John the Baptist prepares the way for the Lord. John the Baptist and Jesus new well the message of Malachi. John the Baptist assumes the role of Elijah.