"See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like washers' 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, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness." - Malachi 3:1-3
The two prominent images which spring from this passage are, of a refiner's fire and of launderer's soap. Both are used to clean impurities - one from precious metals and the other from clothing. This striking illustration reminds me that the arrival of the Messiah is not just to make us 'feel' good, but it is also to purify our hearts and to present us 'spotless' before the Father.
As Advent invites us to do some intentional soul-searching, what could these 2 images highlight in our lives? What needs to be cleansed in my soul and life at the moment?
Job 23:10 - "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
Living in grace
D3LM3
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