Malachi 3: 1-4
“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.
A Thought
God had intended for Israel to be a light to reveal justice and true worship to honor the name of the Lord Almighty. Israel has now sinned. Malachi is God’s “Messenger”; a prophet who tries to get the priests and the people of Israel to repent and return to the covenant made with their forefathers. Here, Malachi first foretells the promise of God’s messenger (John the Baptist) who will prepare the way for the Way of Salvation (Jesus Christ the Son of God). Next, Malachi speaks about the day of Christ’s return to bring judgement. The Levites (along with each of us) must accept Jesus Christ through repentance and forgiveness to be made acceptable, pure and righteous.
Our Prayer
Father, we know we have sinned against you. Thank you for making the way possible for whosoever will, everyone, to be made righteous through your Son, Jesus the Christ. Help us now to live in your righteousness, to love you and others, and to be obedient to your word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
