BSBKJVWEBYLTASVBBEWMBT4TDBY|HymnsMusicDonate
Menu
Home  › Bibles  › Berean Standard Bible  › Malachi 3

Malachi 3

BSB
‹ Chapter 2 Malachi — All Chapters Chapter 4 ›

1 “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. 3 And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. 4 Then the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old and years gone by. 5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. 6 “Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed. 7 Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. “But you ask, ‘How can we return?’ 8 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your land, and the vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the LORD of Hosts. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight,” says the LORD of Hosts. 13 “Your words against Me have been harsh,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts? 15 So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’" 16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name. 17 “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18 So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."

‹ Chapter 2 Malachi — All Chapters Chapter 4 ›

Study Notes — Malachi 3

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Chapter Summary

Malachi chapter 3 begins with a description of the coming messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord (Malachi 3:1). The chapter then emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship, warning against robbing God through inadequate tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-10). The consequences of disobedience are highlighted, including the curse that will come upon those who do not obey (Malachi 3:9). In contrast, those who are faithful will be blessed and will be able to withstand the day of the Lord (Malachi 3:16-18). The chapter concludes with a reminder of the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, and the promise that the righteous will be spared on the day of the Lord (Malachi 3:18).

Context for the Chapter

Malachi chapter 3 is the third chapter of the book of Malachi, which is the last book of the Old Testament. The book of Malachi is a prophetic book that emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship and the consequences of disobedience. The chapter is part of a larger section of the book that emphasizes the importance of preparing for the day of the Lord, when God will come to judge and purify His people. The chapter is also part of the larger biblical narrative, which emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship and the promise of blessing that comes with obedience.

Heart Application

The chapter encourages the reader to put God to the test by bringing the full tithe into the storehouse, and promises that God will respond with a blessing that will meet all of their needs. This is a call to faith and obedience, and emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's promises. The reader is encouraged to examine their own heart and to consider whether they are being faithful in their stewardship, and to trust in God's promise of blessing.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Malachi chapter 3 is about the importance of faithful stewardship and the promise of blessing that comes with obedience. The chapter encourages the reader to put God to the test by bringing the full tithe into the storehouse, and promises that God will respond with a blessing that will meet all of their needs. The chapter also emphasizes the consequences of disobedience, including the curse that will come upon those who do not obey. As it is written in Malachi 3:10, "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

Voices from the Church

“The prophet here shows that the worship of God is not only a matter of the heart, but also of the outward actions, such as the giving of tithes and offerings.”

— John Calvin

“The promise of blessing that comes with obedience is a wonderful encouragement to the believer, and should motivate us to faithful stewardship.”

— Charles Spurgeon

Outline for Preaching

  1. The Coming Messenger (Malachi 3:1-5) — The chapter begins with a description of the coming messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord. This messenger is John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ.
  2. The Importance of Faithful Stewardship (Malachi 3:6-12) — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship, warning against robbing God through inadequate tithes and offerings.
  3. The Consequences of Disobedience (Malachi 3:13-15) — The chapter highlights the consequences of disobedience, including the curse that will come upon those who do not obey.
  4. The Promise of Blessing (Malachi 3:16-18) — The chapter emphasizes the promise of blessing that comes with obedience, including the promise that God will open the windows of heaven and pour down a blessing until there is no more need.
  5. The Distinction between the Righteous and the Wicked (Malachi 3:18) — The chapter concludes with a reminder of the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, and the promise that the righteous will be spared on the day of the Lord.

Core Doctrines

Faithful Stewardship
The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship, warning against robbing God through inadequate tithes and offerings. This doctrine is based on the biblical principle that everything belongs to God, and that we are stewards of what He has given us.
The Promise of Blessing
The chapter emphasizes the promise of blessing that comes with obedience, including the promise that God will open the windows of heaven and pour down a blessing until there is no more need. This doctrine is based on the biblical principle that God rewards obedience and faithfulness.
The Consequences of Disobedience
The chapter highlights the consequences of disobedience, including the curse that will come upon those who do not obey. This doctrine is based on the biblical principle that sin has consequences, and that disobedience will ultimately lead to judgment and punishment.
The Distinction between the Righteous and the Wicked
The chapter concludes with a reminder of the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, and the promise that the righteous will be spared on the day of the Lord. This doctrine is based on the biblical principle that God is a righteous judge, and that He will ultimately distinguish between the righteous and the wicked.

Lessons from Malachi 3

  1. The Importance of Faithful Stewardship — The chapter teaches that faithful stewardship is essential for a healthy relationship with God, and that it is a key aspect of our worship and service to Him.
  2. The Consequences of Disobedience — The chapter warns that disobedience will ultimately lead to judgment and punishment, and that it is essential to obey God's commands in order to avoid these consequences.
  3. The Promise of Blessing — The chapter teaches that obedience to God's commands will ultimately lead to blessing and reward, and that this is a key aspect of our relationship with Him.
  4. The Distinction between the Righteous and the Wicked — The chapter concludes that God will ultimately distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, and that this distinction will have significant implications for our eternal destiny.
  5. The Importance of Preparation — The chapter teaches that it is essential to prepare for the day of the Lord, and that this preparation involves faithful stewardship, obedience to God's commands, and a commitment to righteousness.

Themes from Malachi 3

  1. Faithful Stewardship — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship, warning against robbing God through inadequate tithes and offerings.
  2. The Promise of Blessing — The chapter emphasizes the promise of blessing that comes with obedience, including the promise that God will open the windows of heaven and pour down a blessing until there is no more need.
  3. The Consequences of Disobedience — The chapter highlights the consequences of disobedience, including the curse that will come upon those who do not obey.
  4. The Distinction between the Righteous and the Wicked — The chapter concludes with a reminder of the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, and the promise that the righteous will be spared on the day of the Lord.
  5. The Importance of Preparation — The chapter teaches that it is essential to prepare for the day of the Lord, and that this preparation involves faithful stewardship, obedience to God's commands, and a commitment to righteousness.

Questions for Meditation

  1. What does the chapter teach about the importance of faithful stewardship, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
  2. What are the consequences of disobedience, and how can we avoid them?
  3. What is the promise of blessing that comes with obedience, and how can we experience this in our own lives?
  4. How does the chapter distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, and what are the implications of this distinction?
  5. How can we prepare for the day of the Lord, and what are the consequences of not being prepared?

Detailed Chapter Outline

1. The Coming Messenger (Malachi 3:1-5)

Malachi 3:1 The chapter begins with a description of the coming messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord. This messenger is John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ.
Malachi 3:2 The messenger will come to purify the sons of Levi, and to refine them like gold and silver. This is a reference to the ministry of Jesus Christ, who came to purify and refine His people.
Malachi 3:3 The messenger will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi. This is a reference to the ministry of Jesus Christ, who came to purify and refine His people.
Malachi 3:4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, as in the days of old and as in former years. This is a reference to the ministry of Jesus Christ, who came to restore the worship of God and to make the offerings of His people pleasing to Him.
Malachi 3:5 The Lord will come to judge the sorcerers, the adulterers, and those who swear falsely. This is a reference to the ministry of Jesus Christ, who came to judge sin and to bring righteousness to His people.

2. The Importance of Faithful Stewardship (Malachi 3:6-12)

Malachi 3:6 The Lord says that He does not change, and that the people have turned away from Him. This is a reference to the fact that God is unchanging, and that the people have turned away from His commands.
Malachi 3:7 The Lord says that from the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. This is a reference to the fact that the people have turned away from God's commands and have not obeyed Him.
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. This is a reference to the fact that the people have robbed God by not giving Him the tithes and contributions that are due to Him.
Malachi 3:9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. This is a reference to the fact that the people are under a curse because they have robbed God.
Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. This is a reference to the fact that God promises to bless those who are faithful in their stewardship and to provide for their needs.
Malachi 3:11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. This is a reference to the fact that God promises to protect those who are faithful in their stewardship and to provide for their needs.
Malachi 3:12 And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. This is a reference to the fact that God promises to bless those who are faithful in their stewardship and to make them a blessing to the nations.

3. The Consequences of Disobedience (Malachi 3:13-15)

Malachi 3:13 Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, 'How have we spoken against you?' This is a reference to the fact that the people have spoken against God and have not obeyed His commands.
Malachi 3:14 You have said, 'It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts?' This is a reference to the fact that the people have spoken against God and have not obeyed His commands.
Malachi 3:15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape. This is a reference to the fact that the people have turned away from God and have not obeyed His commands, and that they have been blessed in their disobedience.

4. The Promise of Blessing (Malachi 3:16-18)

Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. This is a reference to the fact that God pays attention to those who fear Him and who esteem His name.
Malachi 3:17 They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. This is a reference to the fact that God promises to spare those who are faithful to Him and to make them His treasured possession.
Malachi 3:18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. This is a reference to the fact that God will ultimately distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, and that this distinction will have significant implications for our eternal destiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main theme of Malachi chapter 3?

The main theme of Malachi chapter 3 is the importance of faithful stewardship and the promise of blessing that comes with obedience. As it is written in Malachi 3:10, "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

What are the consequences of disobedience?

The consequences of disobedience are highlighted in Malachi 3:9, where it is written that the people are under a curse because they have robbed God. The chapter also emphasizes that disobedience will ultimately lead to judgment and punishment, as seen in Malachi 3:5, where the Lord says that He will come to judge the sorcerers, the adulterers, and those who swear falsely.

How can we prepare for the day of the Lord?

We can prepare for the day of the Lord by being faithful in our stewardship, obeying God's commands, and committing ourselves to righteousness. As it is written in Malachi 3:16, "Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name."

Top Cross References

ReferenceConnection
1 Malachi 3:1 → Matthew 11:10 The coming messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord is John the Baptist, who is referred to in Matthew 11:10 as the one who will prepare the way for Jesus Christ.
2 Malachi 3:2 → Hebrews 1:3 The messenger who will come to purify the sons of Levi is Jesus Christ, who is referred to in Hebrews 1:3 as the one who will purify and refine His people.
3 Malachi 3:3 → 1 Peter 1:7 The messenger who will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver is Jesus Christ, who is referred to in 1 Peter 1:7 as the one who will refine and purify His people.
4 Malachi 3:4 → Hebrews 13:15 The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, as in the days of old and as in former years, just as it is written in Hebrews 13:15 that the sacrifice of praise and the fruit of our lips will be pleasing to God.
5 Malachi 3:5 → Revelation 20:12 The Lord will come to judge the sorcerers, the adulterers, and those who swear falsely, just as it is written in Revelation 20:12 that God will judge the living and the dead.
6 Malachi 3:6 → Psalm 102:27 The Lord says that He does not change, and that the people have turned away from Him, just as it is written in Psalm 102:27 that God is unchanging and that the people have turned away from Him.
7 Malachi 3:7 → Jeremiah 7:23 The Lord says that from the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them, just as it is written in Jeremiah 7:23 that the people have turned away from God's commands and have not obeyed Him.
8 Malachi 3:8 → Luke 6:38 The people have robbed God by not giving Him the tithes and contributions that are due to Him, just as it is written in Luke 6:38 that those who give generously to God will receive generously in return.
9 Malachi 3:10 → 2 Corinthians 9:6 The Lord promises to bless those who are faithful in their stewardship and to provide for their needs, just as it is written in 2 Corinthians 9:6 that those who sow generously will reap generously.
10 Malachi 3:16 → Revelation 20:15 The Lord pays attention to those who fear Him and who esteem His name, just as it is written in Revelation 20:15 that those who are written in the book of life will be spared on the day of judgment.

Sermons on Malachi 3

SermonDescription
Andrew Strom How to Experience Personal Revival by Andrew Strom In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of experiencing revival in one's life. He explains that revival is a state of continuous, close communion with God. The founda
Gladys Aylward Testimony - Part 1 by Gladys Aylward In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares their experience of being the only missionary in a heathen government and their journey of spreading the Gospel in South Shansey. Desp
Gladys Aylward Testimony and Challenge by Gladys Aylward In this sermon, the speaker shares their personal experience of being in China and looking after mules while others listened to a woman named Jeannie tell stories about Jesus. The
Leonard Ravenhill "Old Fashioned Hell Fire Preaching" by Leonard Ravenhill This sermon emphasizes the danger of trying to modernize or improve upon the ways of God, likening it to the mistake of trying to steady the Ark of God with human efforts. It highl
Alan Redpath (John) 03 - the Witness of Works by Alan Redpath In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding. He emphasizes the significance of Jesus attending a wedding and bringing joy to eve
Oswald J. Smith How God Taught Me to Give by Oswald J. Smith In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey of how God led him to give towards missions. He recounts his experience of becoming the pastor of a church that held an annu
Gladys Aylward Testimony - Part 2 by Gladys Aylward In this sermon, the speaker shares about their experience running a children's home and the blessings they received from God. They also talk about their 60th birthday celebration a
K.P. Yohannan A Mighty Minority by K.P. Yohannan In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences of preaching the word of God and witnessing powerful transformations. He encourages believers not to be afraid of rejection
Leonard Ravenhill Judgement Seat - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the significance of our lives and actions in the context of the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every believer will be held accountable for their servic
Leonard Ravenhill John Baptist , the Fire of God - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill Leonard Ravenhill passionately preaches about John the Baptist as a fiery messenger of God, emphasizing the need for personal revival and the baptism of the Holy Spirit with fire.

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Malachi 3

Matthew Henry's commentary on Malachi 3 emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship and the promise of blessing that comes with obedience. Henry notes that the chapter begins with a description of the coming messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord, and that this messenger is John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. Henry also emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship, warning against robbing God through inadequate tithes and offerings. He notes that the consequences of disobedience are highlighted in the chapter, including the curse that will come upon those who do not obey. Henry concludes that the chapter is a call to faith and obedience, and that it emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's promises. As Henry writes, 'The Lord is a God of judgment, and will not be mocked; but he is also a God of mercy, and will not forget his people.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?

The Importance of Faithful Stewardship

The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship, warning against robbing God through inadequate tithes and offerings. This is a theme that is continued throughout the Bible, where the importance of giving to God is emphasized.

The Consequences of Disobedience

The chapter highlights the consequences of disobedience, including the curse that will come upon those who do not obey. This is a theme that is continued throughout the Bible, where the consequences of disobedience are emphasized.

The Promise of Blessing

The chapter emphasizes the promise of blessing that comes with obedience, including the promise that God will open the windows of heaven and pour down a blessing until there is no more need.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate