3:1 There are two messengers in this verse. The first is usually understood to be John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10; Luke 7:27). The second messenger is Jesus, the Messiah, for whom both Malachi and John the Baptist prepared the way.
3:2, 3 In the process of refining metals, the raw metal is heated with fire until it melts. The impurities separate from it and rise to the surface. They are skimmed off, leaving the pure metal. Without this heating and melting, there could be no purifying. As the impurities are skimmed off the top, the reflection of the worker appears in the clear, pure surface. As we are purified by God, his reflection in our lives will become more and more clear to those around us. God says that the Levites (Israel’s leaders) should be especially open to his purification process in their lives. The “fullers’ sope” was alkali used to whiten cloth, also used here as a symbol of the purifying process.
3:7 God’s patience seems endless! Throughout history, his people have disobeyed, even scorned, his laws, but he has always been willing to accept them back. Here, however, the people have the nerve to imply that they never disobeyed (“Wherein shall we return?”)! Many people have turned their backs on forgiveness and restoration because they have refused to admit their sin. Don’t follow their example. God is ready to return to us if we are willing to return to him.
3:8-12 Malachi urged the people to stop holding back their tithes, to stop cheating God. The tithing system began during the time of Moses (Leviticus 27:30-34; Deuteronomy 14:22). The Levites received some of the tithe because they could not possess land of their own (Numbers 18:20, 21). During Malachi’s day, the people were not giving tithes, so the Levites went to work to earn a living, thereby neglecting their God-given responsibilities to care for the Temple and for the service of worship. Everything we have is from God; so when we refuse to return to him a part of what he has given, we rob him. Do you selfishly want to keep 100 percent of what God gives, or are you willing to return at least 10 percent to help advance God’s Kingdom?
3:8-12 The people of Malachi’s day ignored God’s command to give a tithe of their income to his Temple. They may have feared losing what they had worked so hard to get, but in this they misjudged God. “Give, and it shall be given unto you,” he says (Luke 6:38). When we give, we must remember that the blessings God promises are not always material and may not be experienced completely here on earth, but we will certainly receive them in our future life with him.
3:10 The “storehouse” was a place in the Temple for storing grain and other food given as tithes. The priests lived off these gifts. We also need to give from the plenty that God has given us in order to support those who serve God by ministering to the spiritual needs of others.
3:13-15 These verses describe the people’s arrogant attitude toward God. When we ask, “What’s the use of serving God?” we are really asking, “What good does it do for me?” Our focus is selfish. Our real question should be, “What good does it do for God?” We must serve God just because he is God and deserves to be served.
3:16 God will remember those who remain faithful to him, and who love, fear, honor, and respect him.
3:17 God’s special treasure are those faithful to him. This fulfills the promise he made in the covenant to his people (Exodus 19:5). According to 1 Peter 2:9, believers are God’s very own possession. Have you committed your life to God for safekeeping?