New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Malachi 4
1
"You can be sure the day of the Lord is coming. My anger will burn like a furnace. All those who are proud will be like straw. So will all those who do what is evil. The day that is coming will set them on fire," says the Lord who rules over all. "Not even a root or a branch will be left to them.
Reference
Evil
Malachi 3:15
Parallel theme
2 Peter 3:7
Malachi 3:2
Isaiah 47:14
Job 18:16
Exodus 15:7
References Lord
2 Thessalonians 1:8
Isaiah 5:24
Obadiah 1:18
Zephaniah 1:18
2
"But here is what will happen for you who have respect for me. The sun that brings life will rise. Its rays will bring healing to my people. You will go out and leap like calves that have just been let out of the barn.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 33:6
Psalm 84:11
Isaiah 30:26
John 8:12
Luke 1:78
Isaiah 53:5
Malachi 3:16
Revelation 22:16
John 1:4
Resurrection
2 Samuel 23:4
3
"Then you will stomp on sinful people. They will be like ashes under your feet. That will happen on the day I act," says the Lord.
Reference
Evil
Job 40:12
Parallel theme
Isaiah 26:6
Micah 5:8
Revelation 14:20
References Lord
Romans 16:20
Zechariah 10:5
Malachi 3:17
Micah 7:10
Revelation 11:15
Isaiah 25:10
4
"Remember the law my servant Moses gave you. Remember the rules and laws I gave him at Mount Horeb. They were for the whole nation of Israel.
Reference
5
"I will send you the prophet Elijah. He will come before the day of the Lord arrives. It will be a great and terrifying day.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 6:17
Luke 9:30
Prophecy
John 1:21
John 1:25
References Lord
Luke 1:17
Malachi 3:1
Isaiah 40:3
Joel 2:31
Malachi 4:1
Summary of Malachi 4
Malachi 4 is the short concluding chapter of Malachi and the final chapter of the Old Testament, bringing the prophetic message to a dramatic conclusion by contrasting the destiny of those who reject God with the future promised to those who honor Him.
The chapter begins with the image of a blazing furnace, representing the coming Day of the Lord when arrogance and wickedness will be completely destroyed, with the imagery of having neither root nor branch emphasizing that God's final judgment will not merely weaken evil but remove it completely.
In sharp contrast, those who fear God's name will experience the "sun of righteousness", whose rising brings healing, freedom, joy, and renewed life, creating a powerful picture of people who have endured darkness finally experiencing God's restoring light.
The righteous will then share in God's victory over evil, while the chapter turns their attention back to the foundation of their covenant relationship by commanding them to remember the law of Moses, demonstrating that God's future restoration does not cancel His previous revelation but calls His people to remain faithful to it.
The final two verses introduce Elijah, who will come before the great and fearful Day of the Lord to prepare the people by turning the hearts of parents and children toward one another.
This final promise connects spiritual restoration with family reconciliation, showing that preparation for God's coming involves not only religious observance but also repaired relationships within the community.
The closing warning that the land could otherwise be struck with a curse leaves the reader with a clear choice between responding to God's call or continuing toward judgment.
The central message is that Malachi 4 announces the coming Day of the Lord as both judgment and salvation, when evil will be destroyed, those who fear God will experience healing and joy, God's law will remain the foundation of faithfulness, and a prophetic messenger will prepare the people through repentance and reconciliation.
The chapter ends the Old Testament with both warning and hope, leaving God's people looking toward a future day when God's justice will finally be revealed, the faithful will be healed and restored, families will be reconciled, and God's purposes will move from prophetic promise toward fulfillment.
The chapter begins with the image of a blazing furnace, representing the coming Day of the Lord when arrogance and wickedness will be completely destroyed, with the imagery of having neither root nor branch emphasizing that God's final judgment will not merely weaken evil but remove it completely.
In sharp contrast, those who fear God's name will experience the "sun of righteousness", whose rising brings healing, freedom, joy, and renewed life, creating a powerful picture of people who have endured darkness finally experiencing God's restoring light.
The righteous will then share in God's victory over evil, while the chapter turns their attention back to the foundation of their covenant relationship by commanding them to remember the law of Moses, demonstrating that God's future restoration does not cancel His previous revelation but calls His people to remain faithful to it.
The final two verses introduce Elijah, who will come before the great and fearful Day of the Lord to prepare the people by turning the hearts of parents and children toward one another.
This final promise connects spiritual restoration with family reconciliation, showing that preparation for God's coming involves not only religious observance but also repaired relationships within the community.
The closing warning that the land could otherwise be struck with a curse leaves the reader with a clear choice between responding to God's call or continuing toward judgment.
The central message is that Malachi 4 announces the coming Day of the Lord as both judgment and salvation, when evil will be destroyed, those who fear God will experience healing and joy, God's law will remain the foundation of faithfulness, and a prophetic messenger will prepare the people through repentance and reconciliation.
The chapter ends the Old Testament with both warning and hope, leaving God's people looking toward a future day when God's justice will finally be revealed, the faithful will be healed and restored, families will be reconciled, and God's purposes will move from prophetic promise toward fulfillment.