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The Day of the LORD
Malachi 4:1-6 speaks about the coming day of Yahweh with both warning and hope. It contrasts the end of the proud and wicked with the future of those who fear God’s name, then closes with commands and a warning.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, Yahweh of Armies announces a coming day, describes judgement on the wicked, promises healing and joy to those who fear his name, tells Israel to remember the law given through Moses at Horeb, and says Elijah the prophet will come before that great and terrible day.
Malachi 4:1–6Main takeaway
This passage presents the day of Yahweh as a time of judgement, healing, remembrance of God’s law, and a call for hearts to be turned rightly.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A burning day for the proudThe passage opens with a strong picture of judgement. The coming day is “burning like a furnace”, and the proud and those who work wickedness are compared to stubble.
Explanation
The passage opens with a strong picture of judgement. The coming day is “burning like a furnace”, and the proud and those who work wickedness are compared to stubble. The image shows complete removal, because the fire will leave “neither root nor branch”. Yahweh of Armies himself declares it.
02Healing for those who fear God’s nameIn contrast, those who fear God’s name are promised light, healing and joy. “The sun of righteousness” rises with healing in its wings, and they are pictured going out and leaping like calves of the stall.
Explanation
In contrast, those who fear God’s name are promised light, healing and joy. “The sun of righteousness” rises with healing in its wings, and they are pictured going out and leaping like calves of the stall. The passage then says the wicked will become ashes under their feet in the day God acts.
03Remember Moses and the lawThe next command is to remember “the law of Moses my servant”. The text links this law to Horeb and says it was commanded for all Israel, including statutes and ordinances.
Explanation
The next command is to remember “the law of Moses my servant”. The text links this law to Horeb and says it was commanded for all Israel, including statutes and ordinances. Alongside the warning and promise in this passage, God’s people are told to remember what he has already commanded.
04Elijah and turned heartsBefore the great and terrible day of Yahweh, God says he will send “Elijah the prophet”. His work is described as turning the hearts of fathers to children and children to fathers.
Explanation
Before the great and terrible day of Yahweh, God says he will send “Elijah the prophet”. His work is described as turning the hearts of fathers to children and children to fathers. The warning is serious, because the passage ends with the possibility of the earth being struck with a curse.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What different outcomes does this passage describe for the wicked and for those who fear God’s name?
Compare the burning furnace and ashes with the rising sun, healing, and leaping calves to trace the contrast in these verses.
02How does Malachi 4:4 sit within the warning and promise around it?
Notice that the command to remember Moses’ law stands between the promise for those who fear God’s name and the warning about the coming day and curse.
03How is Elijah’s role described before the day of Yahweh?
Focus on the action named in the text: turning hearts within families, and the warning attached to that turning.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Malachi 4:1–6
1“For behold, the day comes, burning like a furnace, when all the proud and all who work wickedness will be stubble. The day that comes will burn them up,” says Yahweh of Armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
2But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves of the stall.
3You shall tread down the wicked; for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make,” says Yahweh of Armies.
4“Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances.
5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.
6He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”