Malachi means “my messenger.” In fact, some commentators think that the prophet who penned this book is really unnamed.
“His [Malachi] very name is somewhat uncertain. Malachi is the name of an office, rather than a person, “My messenger,” and as such is found in Malachi 3:1. The Septuagint favors this view in Malachi 1:1; translate, not ‘by Malachi,’ but ‘by the hand of His messenger’ (compare Haggai 1:13).[1]
There is a “prophet’s principle” seen here regardless of if Malachi was indeed a person or an unknown messenger. That is the ambiguity and mystery that surrounds a true prophet of God. A quick reflection on well-known prophets shows many who appear for a brief period, do their work, and then disappear again. Others, who may be better known, live a life of despair and rejection not knowing if their work accomplished anything.
Bottom line is that true prophets are not those who seek recognition or preeminence. The key for them is to unload the “burden of the word of the Lord.”
One great man of God wrote, “The man of God who truly preaches the Word will finally give up the idea of being known. If he preaches Christ, his reputation will constantly decrease and Christ will increase. True prophets die unknown. God gives them their dues only after they die.”
I believe we can take this thought of personal ambiguity one step further and apply it to countless unnamed people of faith. After identifying all the ‘Faith Hall of Famers’ in Hebrews 11, the writer penned this about the unnamed others:
“and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground” (Hebrews 11:36-38 NASB).
The unnamed others had a common designation—whom the world was not worthy of!
Whether a practicing prophet or a functioning faithful, always remember this one thing. Our God is faithful and you will receive your just reward when He sees you face to face!
