Malachi 3:1-6 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom you seek… These words were spoken to the unbelieving priests of Malachi's days, who professed that they could see no tokens of the presence of God among His people. The Lord describes — I. THE PREPARATION FOR HIS COMING. John the Baptist prepared the way "of the Lord" — 1. By his singular birth. 2. By his awakening ministry. 3. By direct testimony. "He saw and bare record that this was the Son of God." II. THE TIME OF HIS COMING. Suddenly, or immediately after the preparation of His way by the "messenger." How remarkably did the facts agree with the prediction! III. THE DIGNITY OF HIS COMING. No mere man could use such authoritative words. "He shall prepare the way before Me." IV. THE SPECIAL BUSINESS OF HIS COMING. "Messenger of the covenant." "Equal with the Father, as touching His Godhead," Christ is at the same time " inferior to the Father as touching His manhood," in order that He might become the Messenger of heaven to a lost world. He came to reveal and to fulfil His own part in a gracious covenant of redemption for guilty sinners. V. THE CERTAINTY OF HIS COMING. The unbelieving Jews doubted it; even the faithful were despondent; the prediction is therefore attested by a most solemn assurance, "Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts." (J. Jowett, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. |
    |