Mal 3:2-3 | TNotes | STEP | 3:2 blazing fire: The dross of the people’s wickedness must be burned away by the fires of divine testing and chastisement (Isa 1:25 ; Jer 6:29 ; Ezek 22:22 ). • strong soap: An alkaline detergent was made from plants (see Jer 2:22 ). The blazing fire and strong soap signify the testing (by smelting) and cleansing (by laundering) that would restore Israel’s faithfulness to its covenant with the Lord.

bIsa 1:25►

cJer 6:29►

dEzek 22:22►

eJer 2:22►

‏ Malachi 3:2-3

3:2 ^a blazing fire: The dross of the people’s wickedness must be burned away by the fires of divine testing and chastisement (Isa 1:25 ^b; Jer 6:29 ^c; Ezek 22:22 ^d).

• strong soap: An alkaline detergent was made from plants (see Jer 2:22 ^e). The blazing fire and strong soap signify the testing (by smelting) and cleansing (by laundering) that would restore Israel’s faithfulness to its covenant with the Lord.