Chapter 3

1 Of the messenger, majesty, and grace of Christ. 7 Of the rebellion, 8 sacrilege, 13 and infidelity of the people. 16 The promise of blessing to them that fear God.

1. My messenger. God replies to the closing question of the previous chapter by affirming with certainty that He is coming in judgment and righteousness. To the people of Malachi’s day this message was a warning that God would deal with their sins. However, in addition to its warning message for the Jews of Malachi’s day, this prophecy also had a Messianic import (see on Mark 1:2; see DA 161). John the Baptist was the “messenger” who prepared “the way before” the Lord by preaching repentance (see Isa. 40:3–5; Matt. 3:1–3; 11:10, 11; Luke 3:2–14).

Come to his temple. That is, to the most holy place for the work of the investigative judgment (GC 426).

Messenger of the covenant. Or, “angel of the covenant” (see on Haggai 1:13). The Lord, or “messenger of the covenant,” is none other than Christ, the second person of the Godhead (see on Ex. 3:2), and is to be clearly distinguished from the previously mentioned “messenger” of this verse. This prophecy regarding the “messenger of the covenant” applies not only to the time when Christ came to His Temple during His first advent (see DA 161), but also to the events connected with the close of earth’s history and the second advent (see GC 424; PP 339).

2.Who may abide? See Joel 2:11. The Jews believed that the Messiah was coming to punish the heathen in judgment. On the contrary, Malachi warns the Jews they will be the first to suffer judgment (see Amos 5:18).

Refiner’s fire. As a fire separates the metal from the dross, so God by His judgment separates the righteous from the wicked (see on v. 1).

Fullers’ soap. Not a true soap, which was probably unknown in ancient times, but a vegetable alkali obtained from the burning of certain plants, and used for washing purposes.

3. He shall sit. The previous thought (v. 2) is repeated for emphasis.

The sons of Levi. The priests are mentioned especially as those most responsible for leading the people in righteousness by their example and teaching (see Mal. 2:1–9; see on 2 Chron. 15:3).

Purge. The chastisement upon the “sons of Levi” is designed not only to cleanse their souls by ridding them of evil, but also to foster an advance in holiness by fitting them to “offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness” (see Rom. 12:1; 2 Peter 3:18; DA 161).

Offering. Heb. minchah (see on ch. 1:10).

4. Pleasant. The removal of sin by priests and people will restore the divine favor (see PK 706).

Days of old. The Jews considered such periods as those of Abraham, Moses, and David as more or less ideal times.

5. To judgment. In other words, “Here is the judgment!” the divine answer to the question, “Where is the God of judgment?” (ch. 2:17).

Sorcerers. The divine displeasure was especially directed against those who practiced heathen magical arts (see Ex. 22:18; Deut. 18:10), for example, those arts prevalent in Babylon (see on Dan. 2:2).

Adulterers. Another group to come especially under the indictment of God were those guilty of immorality, including those who secured unlawful divorces (see on ch. 2:14–16). How sweepingly would this same indictment apply to thousands of persons living today!

False swearers. The LXX reads “them that swear falsely by my name” (see Lev. 19:12).

Oppress the hireling. God calls on His professed followers to be just, yes, even liberal, with those who are dependent upon wages for their daily sustenance (see Deut. 24:14, 15; James 5:4).

Widow … fatherless … stranger. The Lord made special provisions to guard the rights of those who are in any degree defenseless, helpless, or in need of protection (Ex. 22:21, 22; Deut. 24:17; 27:19). The Jews were forbidden to take advantage of the “stranger,” or foreigner, among them.

6. I change not. Here the Lord effectively refutes the charge that He winks at evil (ch. 2:17). God’s holiness is everlastingly constant and unalterable (see Num. 23:19; James 1:17). It is precisely because God does not change that His eternal purpose toward His people will stand. He may punish, discipline, and correct them, but all this is for the purpose of bringing repentance and salvation to them.

7. Ye are gone away. God had been true to His promises (see on v. 6), yet the people had not been true to Him, particularly in tithes and offerings (vs. 8, 9).

Return unto me. The burden of the prophet’s message (see on ch. 1:1) is not a pronouncement of judgment upon sinners, but a call to repentance and fidelity to God, accompanied by a solemn reminder of the past history of Israel. To “return” to God is to repent of sin and make a thorough reformation in the life. This is the theme of the book of Joel (see Joel 2:12, 13).

Wherein? Again (see on ch. 1:2) the people reveal their hypocritical self-justification in questioning God. See p. 1122.

8. Will a man rob God? Strong language indeed! Mincing no words, Malachi shows specifically in what way the people have “robbed” God: by withholding from Him the “tithes and offerings” that are His due (see Lev. 27:30, 32; Num. 18:21; Neh. 10:37–39).

Offerings. Some fail to realize that it is possible to “rob” God in “offerings” even as in tithe. One who senses his obligations as a steward of God’s bounties will freely give the Lord offerings according to his ability, “as God hath prospered him” (1 Cor. 16:2).

9. Ye are cursed. The immediate context (v. 11) suggests that the “curse” was that of crop scarcity and field devastation (see Haggai 1:6; Mal. 2:2). The “curse” automatically followed disobedience as blessing followed obedience (see pp. 27, 28). There is no neutral ground; a man is either right or wrong in his conduct, and God rewards him accordingly.

Whole nation. In strong condemnation the prophet refers to Judah as “this whole nation” rather than as God’s people. It is evident that this robbery of God was practiced by all.

10. All the tithes. Or, “the full tithes.” This implies that if the people paid tithe, they did not pay a full or honest tithe. Let us be sure that we do not make the same mistake as the people of Malachi’s day (cf. 1 Cor. 10:6–10). The Giver of all has a right to expect us to render Him an honest tithe, and also willing gifts as we are able.

Meat. Better, “food.”

Windows of heaven. Compare Gen. 7:11; 8:2. Not only will there be plenty of rain to remove all fear of drought, but through these openings, so to speak, the divine blessing will be poured out in great abundance (see Lev. 26:3–5).

Blessing. Not necessarily a material blessing, though that seems to be emphasized here (see on v. 11). For the material blessings God designed to bestow upon His people, see pp. 27, 28.

11. The devourer. Probably a reference to locusts, which were so destructive of crops (see on Joel 1:4). The Lord here promises material prosperity to those who are faithful in tithe paying.

12. Call you blessed. God desired that His people be an object lesson of the results of obedience (see pp. 26–29).

13. Stout against me. Or, “firm against me” (see Jude 15). The LXX reads, “Ye have spoken grievous words against me.” The prophet here contrasts the wicked murmuring of the people (Mal. 3:13–15) with the reward that those faithful to God will receive (vs. 16–18). See p. 1122.

Yet ye say. See on ch. 1:2.

14. It is vain. That is, nothing is to be gained. Evidently the prophet is condemning them because what little they did for God was from selfish motives.

15. We call the proud happy. The murmurers do not consider that the humble and meek are “happy,” or blessed by the Lord, but consider that the “proud” and arrogant enjoy good fortune and well-being in the world (see Isa. 13:11).

They that tempt God. That is, those who put God to the test and provoke Him by reason of their wickedness. The LXX reads, “They have resisted God.”

16. Feared the Lord. Malachi brings a message of hope and comfort to those who are still faithful to the Lord. What a contrast between the iniquitous complainers mentioned above (vs. 13–15) and those who are truly righteous!

A book of remembrance. The prophet encourages those who are endeavoring to do what is right with the thought that God remembers the devoted service of His people (see on Dan. 7:10).

17. They shall be mine. In the day when the sinners in Israel are arraigned before the bar of divine justice, God promises to recognize His “jewels” and spare them from the fate of the wicked.

Jewels. Heb. segullah, “[private] property,” or “special possession” (see on Ex. 19:5; Deut. 7:6; Ps. 135:4; cf. 1 Peter 2:9).

I will spare them. Note the two reasons for God’s mercy toward His faithful children: they are His sons (see John 1:12; Rom. 8:14; Gal. 3:26), and they serve Him as obedient children (see Ps. 103:13; Rev. 14:12).

18. Discern between. The prophet points forward to the time when all will be made plain, a time when the questions raised by the people of his day (see chs. 2:17; 3:14) will be finally and satisfactorily answered. Both in the nation’s history and in the individual Israelite’s life many incidents had witnessed to the fact that God deals differently with the godly and the ungodly. However, in the day of the Lord convincing evidence will be given of God’s judgment and justice (see Ps. 58:11).

Ellen G. White comments

1–18TM 305; 6T 384; 9T 53, 249

1     GC 424; PK 700

1–3DA 161

1–4PK 715

2     PP 339; 2T 459

2, 3 GC 621; ML 92; 4T 85

2–4GC 425

3     CD 49; LS 62; PP 129; TM 446; 1T 340, 355; 2T 269, 317; 3T 417; 4T 221; 5T 485, 487

3, 4 3T 541

5     COL 372; CS 128, 143; GC 426; MM 92; PP 652; 2T 157, 159; 4T 490; 6T 388

6, 7 TM 306

7     CS 89; PK 706; PP 165; Te 131; 1T 143; 4T 208; 6T 387

7, 8 COL 144

7–12PK 707; 6T 446

8     AA 336; CS 74, 86, 95, 249; Ed 143; PP 497; SL 32; 2T 653; 3T 269; 4T 311, 470, 474, 477, 480; 5T 271, 382, 643, 734

8, 9 AA 339; COL 372; CS 49, 92; 1T 221, 532; 2T 59

8–10CS 67, 77, 82, 90; TM 305, 307; 3T 394, 510

8–111T 222

8–123T 409; 6T 388

9     CS 85; MYP 306; 6T 387; 9T 250

9, 10    5T 275

10   AA 338; CH 374; CS 39, 75, 83, 89, 199, 299; Ed 138; MYP 307; PP 529; TM 60; 2T 576, 601; 5T 150, 643; 9T 251

10–12COL 144; Ed 140; 5T 153

11   CS 89; PP 527; 9T 52

11, 12  TM 308; 3T 395

13, 14  5T 287

13–156T 389

13–18TM 276

14   SR 60; 4T 106; 6T 266

16   COL 404; CS 88; EW 114; GC 481; MYP 347; SC 101

16, 17  CT 339; ML 207; TM 82; 4T 107, 330; 5T 600

16–186T 390

17   AA 598; COL 118, 283; ChS 268; EW 70; GC 634; TM 234; 2T 25; 5T 96, 368, 408; 9T 56

18        ChS 263; COL 74; CS 128; Ev 593, 619; GC 640; MH 180; PP 341; TM 266, 270; 1T 277; 2T 125; 5T 227; 7T 123; 8T 247; 9T 15, 158