Malachi 3
(1) Jesus will Purify Israel
“I’ll send My representative, and He’ll prepare the way ahead of Me. He’s your Superior—the one you’ve been looking for—and He’ll suddenly show up at His temple. As the representative of the alliance, He’ll be the one you delight in—and He’s on His way,”
Says the Existing One of armies.
“But who will be able to endure the day when He arrives? And who will be left standing when He appears? After all, He’s like the fire smelters use to refine metal, or like the soap you use to clean your dirty laundry. Like a silver smelter, He’ll purify Levi’s descendants and refine them like gold or silver. That way, the Levites will be able to offer gifts to the Existing One from a place of good standing. Then when Judah and Jerusalem offer gifts to the Existing One, He’ll appreciate those gifts just like He used to, a long time ago.
(5) God will Incriminate the Bad People
“Then when I come to assess you, I’ll be like a witness who quickly testifies against those who practice witchcraft, or cheat on their spouse, or tell lies under oath. I’ll testify against the people who oppress their workers with unfair wages, oppress widows and orphans, turn a blind eye to refugees, and those who don’t respect me,”
Says the Existing one of armies.
(6) God Invites Israel to be Close Again
“I am the Existing One who never changes—which is the only reason why you, Jacob’s descendants, haven’t met your demise yet.
“Ever since your ancestors were around, you guys have turned away from My instructions and failed to keep them.
“Come back to Me, and I’ll come back to you and restore you.”
Says the Existing One of armies.
(7b) God will Protect Israel if they Stop Cheating Him
“But you say, ‘How can we come back?’
“Can a human being steal from God? Because you guys are stealing from Me!
You ask, ‘How have we stolen from You?’
You’ve stolen from Me in your so-called 10% offerings and gifts. You’re affected by a curse, because you guys are stealing from Me—your entire country is! Bring the WHOLE 10% to the treasury, so that there can be food in my house. Please, test Me in this,”
Says the Existing One of armies.
“Try Me and see if I don’t open the windows of heaven for you and pour out blessings on you until they overflow. Then I’ll scold the things that eat away at you. That way, those things won’t ruin the crops on your land or cause the vines on your field to be grapeless.
Says the Existing One of armies.
“Every country will talk about how blessed you are, because you’ll be a delighted district,”
Says the Existing One of armies.
(13) Godless People Seem to Prosper Now…
“You speak to Me using such strong language, yet you ask,
‘What strong language did we use against You?’
Here’s what you said:
‘Serving God is a waste. What have we gained from obeying the Existing One’s orders? And what have we gained from trudging around sadly in front of Him? Whenever we see arrogant people these days, we notice how blessed they are. Not only are wrongdoers prospering, but they’re also testing God and getting away with it!’”
(16) …But Only the Godly will be Spared
Then the God-fearing people talked with each other, and the Existing One paid attention. He heard what they said, and had a book written as a reminder to everyone who respects the Existing One and His reputation.
“The people who respect Me will be Mine,”
Says the Existing One of armies.
“On the day when I claim My treasure, I’ll spare them in the same way that a man would spare his own son who works for him.”
When that day comes, you’ll rethink your stance on good and evil. You’ll be able to see a clear distinction between the people who work for God and the one who don’t.