Friday 13 December 2024
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. (v. 1)
Background
The book of Malachi is placed last in the Christian Old Testament and is seen as anticipating the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. The word ‘Malachi’ means ‘my messenger’ or ‘my angel’ and the book takes the form of a court case heard before the Priest in the Jerusalem Temple. Initially the Israelites bring charges against God, although this is quickly turned around and the people are found to have been unfaithful to God. In the verse preceding today’s reading, the second of two charges brought against God has been raised: they have been asking, "Where is the God of justice?" (2:17)
This background is important because it is the backdrop to Malachi 3. The Israelites have been accusing God of injustice, but have themselves confused good and evil. In response, God announces a messenger, coming to prepare the way before the Lord. He will be the "messenger of the covenant in whom you delight." (v. 1) This is ironic because the people have not kept the covenant with God, the special relationship, in which they are bound to God and promise to live in a way that is faithful to God. The messenger therefore comes in judgement: "But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap." (v. 2)
Metals such as gold and silver can be purified by melting them down in the fire. The impurities then rise to the surface and are removed. Malachi uses this image to describe the way God will purify them. ‘Fuller’s soap’ has a similar effect – being used to scrub stains out of garments. Both images depict how God will purify and refine the Israelites, so that they will then be in a right relationship before the Lord.
This passage has sometimes been seen as referring to the second coming of Jesus. It is also quoted in the gospels, where John the Baptist is ‘the messenger’ and the earthly Jesus is ‘the Lord’ (eg Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2).
To Ponder:
- ‘Judgement’ and ‘justice’ both come from the same Hebrew word, mishpat. What issue of justice do you think gets overlooked today?
- Is there a special person who has been ‘a messenger’ or ‘an angel’ in your life? If they are still alive, perhaps you might like to tell them.
Prayer
Forgive me if I have treated people in ways that are not just. Help me to work for justice in your world, Lord. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Kate Cambridge
Kate is a presbyter in the Winchester Eastleigh and Romsey Circuit. In her free time she enjoys doing laundry (!), spending time with her family and wrestling ball point pens off her miniature poodle.