See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before
that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the
fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or
else I will come and strike the land with a curse. Malachi
4:5
Footnote: Malachi gives us practical guidelines about
commitment to God. God deserves the best we have to offer (1:7-10). We must be
willing to change our wrong ways of living (2:1,2). We should make family a
lifelong priority (2:13-16). We should welcome God's refining process in our
lives (3:3). We should tithe our income (3:8-12). There is no room for pride
(3:13-15).
Malachi closes his messages by pointing to that great
final day of judgment. For those who are committed to God, judgment day will be
a day of joy because it will usher in eternity in God's presence. Those who
have ignored God will be "stubble," to be burned up (4:1). To help the people
prepare for that day of judgment, God would send a prophet like Elijah (John the
Baptist), who would prepare the way for Jesus, the Messiah. The New Testament
begins with this prophet calling the people to turn from their sins and to turn
toward God. Such a commitment to God demands great sacrifice on our
part, but we can be sure it will be worth it all in the
end.
WE MADE
IT!!!!!
39
BOOKS!!!
We made it all the way through
the Old Testament! Woo-hoo!!!!!
I'm so excited to begin the New
Testament! If you feel like you've gotten too far behind to catch up, now would
be a good time to jump back in. Join us!
Keep reading -- 78 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV
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