White as Snow

Malachi 3:1 (NIV)
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. 


John the Baptist is the messenger referred to here, as the one who will prepare the way. Then Jesus is another messenger, the One who is the messenger of the covenant. John the Baptist's message was meant to prepare the way for Jesus' message.

So, what are these communications about? What did John the Baptist have to say that warranted mention of him in the old testiment?  Isaiah 40:3 says: "A voice cries in the wilderness, prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

The roads in ancient times were not paved, not smooth and easy to travel upon. When a city knew someone important was coming to visit they spent a lot of time, money and energy to prepare the roads. Often it meant straightening out the trail, removing obstacles and tripping hazards along the way.

These words in Malachi are calling the people of that day to get ready. Not to just prepare for safe travels for the visitor, but for each individual to get ready for His coming. We hear similar messages in church and in our Bible studies. Get ready, prepare your hearts and get right with God and one another.

We read in verse 2b: "For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap." Fuller's soap is a strong launderer's, an alkali used to bleach or whiten cloth, or purification. Malachi is reminding God's people to tithe. The get their hearts right and their priorities straight. He reminds us today as well.

Malachi 3:1-4