Malachi 4: Remember and keep the revelation I gave through my servant Moses.

Did Malachi understand that these words were to become, for Christians across the ages, the closing words of the Old Testament? It’s highly unlikely. However, I believe the God, the Holy Spirit knew it. The last two paragraphs of Malachi are an excellent ending of the Old Testament. For them, still living under the Law, one of the last words is “remember.” They’re to keep the “rules and procedures for right living” given them by Moses. If they do that they’ll have done what the Lord requires of them. However, there’s another last word. It’s, “also look ahead.” The Lord isn’t finished working out redemption for them and all that has happened thus far has prepared the way for the really big deal that’s yet to come. As the curtain is falling on this, the first act we’re told that the next act is going to be both interesting and surprising. They’ll know it’s starting when Elijah shows up to usher it in. For the people of Israel, that’s a long 400 years distant in the future. For me, well all I have to do is turn the page to see the black and white picture of God’s salvation plan displayed in living color.