These verses have a whole different connotation here in the midst of Malachi than they do when they are quoted in Matthew and Luke.
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare my way before me." (v. 1). Quoted in Matthew 11 and Luke 7 - where they refer to John the Baptist.
In Malachi they are followed by "who can endure the day of his coming?" and words about how the people have lied to God, are robbing God, and will be judged and refined in the fire.
John the Baptist had this kind of fire in him - this sense of righteousness and accountability and fear and trembling before the Holy God. Unfortunately, Jesus in our day and age has lost this. And I think the gospel writers are partially to blame - Jesus is too warm and fuzzy in the gospels - so human and loving that the Holy Fear of God is lost. Only once in the gospels does Jesus lose his temper.
I certainly appreciate the mercy God grants me...but sometimes I think we need a little more trembling. The contrast between Malachi's original message and the way it is presented by Matthew and Luke is too much for me.
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