Malachi 3:1-4 “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.
Making Connections: Recall a time when you felt as though you were walking through a “blazing fire?” How would you describe your experience to others?
Context: Malachi, whose name means “my messenger” in Hebrew, acts as a mediator between God and the people in community with God. Because of the play on Hebraic words we can infer that, rather than a real-life prophet named Malachi, we are listening to someone who sees himself in the tradition of Elijah and the prophets delivering the divine message. Many scholars today believe the messenger referred to in Malachi 3:1-4 is Elijah the prophet. * In Jewish tradition, “Elijah mystically appears on earth whenever there are troubled times, bringing messages of hope for the future, relief, and redemption, to lift troubled spirits, and to instill hope in the hearts of the downtrodden.” (Elimelech David Ha-Levi) Elijah’s significance to the Hebrew people and their celebration of Passover can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/passover/faq/elijah.html. For the biblical version of Elijah's story you can read the end of 1 Kings and the beginning of 2 Kings.
To increase your understanding of this passage in its context, it would be helpful to read all four chapters of Malachi where you’ll read dialogue between the prophet of God (who speaks for God) and the people of God. What were some of the issues that God had against the people? What are some contemporary issues that echo these violations of covenant living? Which of these issues do you struggle with?
The prophetic book of Malachi that brings the Christian Old Testament to an end was written in the period after the return from exile to Babylon. During this dark time in the history of Judaism the people had endured great suffering at the hands of their enemies and managed to maintain their community without a temple.
After the people returned, they endured a long building campaign. We can discern from the biblical text that the temple had been rebuilt and dedicated because of the clear references to the sacrificial system and temple rituals that were being practiced once again. Yet this temple did not have the beauty of Solomon’s temple. The priests were lax in their duties to both God and the people, and the prosperity they all expected upon their return did not materialize. There was great disappointment at the lack of divine retribution upon those who had previously oppressed the people in their exile.
Going Deeper: At the end of Malachi 2:17 which is located directly before our study passage, the prophet reports that the people ask this question: “Where is the God of Justice?” Consider the suffering you have endured in your life. Consider the suffering in the world that touches your heart. Have you ever wondered why “good” people suffer and “bad” people prosper? Then you have some understanding of what the people of the post-exilic community were feeling.
The prophet speaks. Read our study passage once again Malachi 3:1-4 which is the prophet's response to the question: Where is the God of Justice? "Justice is the establishment and maintenance of right relationships between all members of the human family ... The biblical understanding of justice as right relationships finds it’s roots in the Hebrew Scriptures, where God is described as a God of justice – a God who loves justice and delights in it. The Hebrew Prophets announced God’s special love for the poor and vulnerable and called God’s peoples to a covenant of love and justice." (a definition by Catholic Relief Services)
The people call for justice in the sense of retribution for their enemies, but Malachi points out that the people themselves are not ready to stand in the presence of a Holy God. The prophet is called to “prepare the way” before God as the people enter into the refiner's fire. As the people emerge from the “refiner’s fire” they will find the end of the purifying preparation is justice in the sense of restoration.
The purpose of the refiner's fire is two-fold: The fire removes impurities from the substance and it strengthens the substance being refined. In the spiritual life, the process of purification makes a space within each person and within the community for the abiding presence of God.
Pondering: The messenger is called to "prepare the way" before the community. Spend some time reflecting on your life. Who is the messenger in your life? in the life of your community? How have you felt refiner's fire in the past? How much does it hurt as impurities are recognized and addressed? When you come through to the other side, where does your strength emerge?
The promise of refining and restoration is enduring throughout the history of the people of God. This is good news! As we continue our Advent journey we are preparing our heart for a glimpse of the Messiah.
Prayer: If you didn’t do it last week, consider an Advent Wreath for your devotional time during Advent. Visit the website of Rev. Ken Collins for information (with a humorous twist) on How to Make and Use an Advent Wreath.
Light your second (purple) candle, which is the love candle each day leading up to the second Sunday of Advent. Sit with your candle in the silence and contemplate how you will prepare the way for the coming of the Christ Child this Advent season of waiting. To end your time in prayer, pray: Dear God, fill me with love as I prepare my heart for your presence ... Amen.
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