According to Malachi 3:3, God is a spiritual purifier who not only exposes the spiritual impurities of the people but also removes them so that they may stand approved in His sight. Malachi 3 shows us that process in four parts:
First comes God’s call to return (Malachi 3:7). God offers the Israelites an opportunity to listen, to return, and be forgiven by Him. God communicates His desire for reconciliation here. He does not want anyone to perish, but for all to return and live (2 Peter 3:9)!
Second, God exposes their sins (Malachi 3:8, 13). If the people thought they were deceiving God as they lazily worshipped Him, they understood their error here. God sees the thoughts and intentions of the heart and expects them to be holy (Hebrews 4:12-13; 1 Peter 1:16).
Third, God makes promises to the people (Malachi 3:10-12). If they repent, they will receive God’s blessings. If they return to Him, God will accept them and reward their faith (Hebrews 10:39; 11:6)!
Fourth, the people respond (Malachi 3:16). This is the key moment. God pleads for repentance; He desires all to return and find life. But every person has the power to choose their response. In the days of Malachi, God would reward the penitent. But others would remain in their wickedness and suffer His wrath (Matthew 25:46).
The end of Malachi 3 and chapter 4 promise a fair judgment to all: reward to those who repent and fire for those who refuse. God calls all people to return to Him and be forgiven. The opportunity for repentance is finite; act on it urgently because judgment is coming! Choose wisely: turn to God, obey the gospel and live forever (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12).