Malachi 3:1
“Look! I am sending my messenger
to clear the way before me;
and the Lord, whom you seek,
will suddenly come to his temple.
Yes, the messenger of the covenant,
in whom you take such delight —
look! Here he comes,”
says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
2 But who can endure the day when he comes?
Who can stand when he appears?
For he will be like a refiner’s fire,
like the soapmaker’s lye.
3 He will sit, testing and purifying the silver;
he will purify the sons of Levi,
refining them like gold and silver,
so that they can bring offerings to Adonai uprightly.
4 Then the offering of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim
will be pleasing to Adonai,
as it was in the days of old,
as in years gone by.
[Complete Jewish Bible]---------------------
As my wife and I have grown in our marriage, we've come to realize it's important to always know when our next vacation will take place. Life can get pretty hectic, but anticipating the time off helps us through our crazy schedules. Some studies have shown that the anticipation of vacations is even more important--and more enjoyable--than the vacation itself.
The prophet Malachi is anticipating a future unlike any vacation I've been on. The identity of "the messenger of the covenant" is a bit vague in the passage, but the outcome is clearer: a powerful refining that will please the Lord.
Prepare us, O God, for your coming reign. Refine us for peace, for joy and for love. Amen.
Adam Copeland
Director of Stewardship Leadership, Luther Seminary
Malachi 3:1 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.
2 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;
3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.
4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.[New Revised Standard Version]
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