Mal 3:1-2 | MHM | STEP | The Coming of the Messenger and the Lord This section gives God’s answer to the people’s complaint about His justice. Through the prophet Malachi, God promises that the Messiah will come soon, but before Him, God will send a special messenger to prepare the way. When the Lord comes, He will purify and judge His people, accepting those who are sincere but punishing those who remain wicked. God reminds Israel that He is faithful and unchanging, and that is why they are not destroyed. v. 1 : God says, “I will send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” This is a prophecy about John the Baptist, who would come to announce the arrival of Jesus, the promised Messiah (Mark 1:2; Isaiah 40:3 ). Then the Lord Himself, the “Messenger of the covenant,” will come to His temple. He is the one Israel was waiting for, the one who would bring God’s promises to pass.

‏ Malachi 3:1-2

The Coming of the Messenger and the Lord

This section gives God’s answer to the people’s complaint about His justice. Through the prophet Malachi, God promises that the Messiah will come soon, but before Him, God will send a special messenger to prepare the way. When the Lord comes, He will purify and judge His people, accepting those who are sincere but punishing those who remain wicked. God reminds Israel that He is faithful and unchanging, and that is why they are not destroyed.

v. 1: God says, “I will send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” This is a prophecy about John the Baptist, who would come to announce the arrival of Jesus, the promised Messiah (Mark 1:2; Isaiah 40:3 ^a). Then the Lord Himself, the “Messenger of the covenant,” will come to His temple. He is the one Israel was waiting for, the one who would bring God’s promises to pass.

v. 2: The prophet asks, “But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears?” The coming of the Lord will be a time of testing and judgment. He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap—He will purify His people and remove anything impure or sinful. Only those who are truly faithful will be able to stand before Him.