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Epiphany · The Presentation of Our Lord · Year C

Malachi 3:1-4

The Day of Judgment

February 2, 2028

A Goldsmith in his Shop, Petrus Christus
A Goldsmith in his Shop, Petrus Christus, 1449The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The goldsmith in red at his counter with the scales in his hand, weighing a ring while a couple waits, and the whole shop of precious things set out behind him.He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 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.Petrus ChristusPetrus Christus, who painted a Bruges trade with the care others gave to altarpieces.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:22-40Lk 2:22-40
EpistleHeb. 2:14-18Heb 2:14-18
Old TestamentMal. 3:1-4Mal 3:1-4
PsalterPs. 84Ps 84

Overview & Insights

“He is like a refiner's fire... and he will purify the sons of Levi.” (Malachi 3:2-3)

The fourth speech is closely related to the second (1:6–2:9) and the sixth (3:13–4:3). The opening accusation resembles the charge of “harsh” words in 3:13, and the people’s queries about God’s justice are also similar (cf. 2:17 and 3:15). Their words parallel the priests’ failure of discernment—crippled and diseased animals are acceptable as offerings (1:6) and “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD” (2:17). The second (1:6–2:9) and fourth speeches both deal with the priests; the second by means of admonition for the present (2:1–9) and the fourth by a promise of purification in the coming day of judgment (3:3–4).

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Take it further: Malachi 3:1-4

Commentary

Commentary on Malachi 3:1-4Commentary on Mal 3:1-4 Working Preacher · Luther Seminary

The RCL's own preaching commentary on the messenger who prepares the Lord's way.

Malachi 3:1-4 CommentaryMal 3:1-4 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching-focused reading of the refiner's fire that purifies Judah.

Malachi 3 - The Coming MessengerMal 3 - The Coming Messenger Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the messenger and the refining fire.

Malachi Commentaries and SermonsMal Commentaries and Sermons Precept Austin

An inductive study gateway with word studies and cross references across Malachi.

Malachi 3:1 CommentariesMal 3:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the coming messenger and refiner.

Malachi 3 Verse-by-Verse CommentaryMal 3 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight

Gill's Exposition read straight through the chapter for a further expositional voice.

Background & Word Study

Malachi 3:1-4 (Hebrew and English)Mal 3:1-4 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria

The Hebrew of the passage alongside English with linked Jewish commentary.

Malachi 3:1 InterlinearMal 3:1 Interlinear BibleHub

The Hebrew of the passage word by word with parsing and lexical helps.

The Church Fathers

Malachi 3 (Catena)Mal 3 (Catena) Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on the messenger who purifies the temple's offerings.

Questions preachers ask

Who is the messenger of Malachi 3?

God promises to send his messenger to prepare the way, and the Lord will suddenly come to his temple to refine and purify his people like silver and gold.

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