Malachi: Before the SilenceSample

Hope Amidst Silence

The structure of Malachi's prophecy carries the reader from a place of loving correction to one of patient hope. With this hope in mind, some 400 years hence, Malachi describes the coming of the Messiah and the salvation He would bring to those who remained true. For that faithful remnant, "the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings" (Malachi 4:2a). Those who endured that long silence would experience not only the fruition of Malachi's prophecy but also that of Isaiah's: the promise of Immanuel — God with us. (Isaiah 7:14)

The silence which followed Malachi's oracle was undoubtedly difficult for God's people; no one disputes this. Yet for those who looked upon the face of the newborn King Jesus in Bethlehem, who were blessed by His earthly ministry and the healing of His hands, who witnessed the awesome sacrifice He made for us at Calvary, or who beheld the ascension of Hope incarnate at the Mount of Olives, it was so absolutely worth it!

This, of course, brings our hope amidst this new silence full circle.

The church today waits longingly for the promise Christ made us to be realized: "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." (John 14:3). Though the waiting is difficult, we understand from Malachi that it is necessary — that the reward will be so much greater than we can imagine (Revelation 1:7)! Never forget: "… we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior" (Philippians 3:20).