Please read the passage before reading the commentary.
In these last few days before Christmas, we focus on John the Baptist. The first chapter of the Gospel according to Luke tells of John’s conception and birth. It can prompt the question about who and what John was. Malachi can shed some light of the answer.
The Greek Scriptures, aka New Testament, to distinguish them from the Hebrew Scriptures, aka Old Testament mostly, often refer to John as Elijah the prophet. Elijah is not described as having died, but as having been taken up in a fiery chariot. Will Elijah return? Matthew (17:11-12) describes Elijah as returning in the oerson of John the Baptist. In Malachi God is sending God’s messenger before God. His task would be to turn the hearts of children and parents back to each other. In other words, the Elijah figure will restore the essential values of the natural structure of the human family. This would allow generations to succeed generations, thus assuring the future existence of the human race. When the heart of parents and children are not in tune with each other, the result is doom for the land.
The purpose of the forerunner, whether it be Malachi or John, is to purify the people. I know from doing my own laundry that it can be extremely hard it is to purify, cleanse, an restore clothes and accessories to their quasi-original brightness. The purifying work of Malachi or John can be just as hard. Everything worthwhile demands work.
We are valuable works of God’s creation. We are not made to fade out or die out. God wants us always in good and spotless condition. God sends us people like Malachi and John to get us ready for the coming of God.
On the twenty-fifth, we shall celebrate God’s coming again into our lives. Will God find us in spotless condition or still in need of refinement? Listen to Elijah-John, be Elijah-John. Many rejoiced at John’s birth; may many rejoice at your birth.