Warnings and Hope

Warnings and Hope
Malachi 1-4
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.” (4:2).
Malachi was the last book of the Old Testament before Israel entered a period known as the 400 silent years. After Israel became a nation under Saul's leadership, God continually sent prophets to call the people back to him and to remain faithful to their covenant relationship with God. From the rise of Samuel during Saul's reign in 1070 B.C. to the end of Malachi’s ministry, a consistent prophetic voice directed people back to God. However, when Malachi passed from the scene, the prophetic voice went silent for 400 years until the arrival of John the Baptist and Jesus. As the last prophet, Malachi both condemned the people and offered the hope of salvation to those who would seek God. He begins by condemning the people for failing to worship God exclusively and walk in obedience to him. Just like today, many false teachers and prophets told people what they wanted to hear. They approved and justified sin rather than confronting it and calling for repentance. As a result, they turned many away from God in order to pursue their own desires (2:7-9). The people no longer sought instruction in God’s word; instead, they listened to those who justified their sin. As a result, they profaned the worship of God and faced his judgment. God does not change, and so His word does not change (3:5-6). Yet we see the same today. Instead of walking in obedience to God, we follow teachers who justify our sin by claiming that the God of the Bible is not the same as the God of today. We give lip service to God but not a heart of obedience.  
Even as Malachi gives his final warning of coming judgment, there is also an offer of hope and salvation. He proclaims that there will come one who will be “my messenger, and He will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming” (3:1). This messenger is none other than the Messiah, who will come and bring hope to people. This Messiah is not only the hope of Israel but also the Hope of all people. For those who fear God and seek him, instead of judgment they will “rise with healing in its wings and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall” (4:2). The Messiah will bring not only hope and salvation but also full restoration to God, and he will bring joy to those who seek him.
This is a message of hope for us when we are going through dark periods of our lives and when we face the struggle with sin. Christ came as the fulfillment of that so that we might not only have forgiveness but also have joy. When we walk with Christ, not only will we obtain vertical healing with God (4:2), but we will also enjoy horizontal healing in our relationships with others (4:5-6). If your life seems broken and there is inner turmoil, there is an answer. That answer is the Messianic king who came so that we might have life. Thus, Malachi opens a new doorway in history, a doorway that brings life. The question we must ask is this: Are we walking through that doorway, or are we still pursuing the wisdom of men? The choice is ours to make. Are we going to choose life?!  When we choose to follow Christ, he comes with healing in his wings to restore joy in our lives.