Ep 122 (S7E7) Malachi Part 5: The Sound of Silence

References: The Day of the Lord - v 1Burning בָּעַר (bāʿar) - see Ex 3:2Joel 2:28-32Acts 2:16-21The זֵד (zade') arrogant and the רִשְׁעָה (rish-aw') wickedSame words as in 3:15 - the reversal making evil good and good evilFrom now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.Not only consuming the arogant and wicked, but their legacy and influence as wellRoots שֶׁרֶשׁ (sheh'-resh)  andBranches עָנָף (aw-nawf')Judgement: historical and future/finalSun of Righteousness - v2  Compare the judgement images in Joel with v 2The sun is turned to darkness Joel 2:10, 31, 3:15The sun brings healing - Mal 4:2Translator’s use of upper case for Sun or RighteousnessInterpreting this as Messianic prophecyHealing in (His/his/its) wingsSee Matthew 9:20-21 (fringe, hem, tassels)Vs 3 - the restoration of God’s justice and good/evil standardThe Law and the Prophets - vss 4-6The תּוֹרָה (Torah) of Moses: instruction, directionElijah to return BEFORE… devout Jews, particularly in Orthodox Judaism, are still waiting.During the Passover Seder, a cup of wine is poured and a chair is left empty for ElijahElijah will arrive to resolve disputes, reconcile families (v 6), and announce the final redemption.The arrival of Elijah is considered a direct precursor to the MessiahV 6: He will turn the heart (singular) of fathers (plural) to their children (plural) and the heart (singular) of children to their fathersA singular “heart” implies restoring a singular, unified, and loving relationship rather than fragmented, individual feelings.“Fathers” often refers to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and their covenant, meaning the hearts of the children (current generation) are to be turned toward that singular, ancestral, and righteous covenantal foundation.Matthew 17:3Each of the stories of Jesus’ transfigurationLuke 24:27 - post resurrection, Jesus took them through all the scriptures beginning with Moses and all the Prophets.“Otherwise” - the OT concludes and a period of four hundred odd years of Prophetic silence ensues.Mat 11:13-15Prophets and LawJohn IS ElijahThe Sound of 400 years of silence?Cultural unification under the Greeks (Hellenization)Political infrastructure under the RomansSpiritual preparation in Jewish diaspora with the establishment of the system of synagogues. Galatians 4:4-7… Period. Prophecy of Malachi 4:6 fulfilled