CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – The people asked the prophet Malachi what the Messiah would be like.
Jesus wouldn’t arrive for another 500 years.
The people already knew that the Messiah would sit on King David’s throne. That was widely understood that he would be a powerful ruler and a miliary leader. Well, not exactly. Jesus was not about economics or military campaigns. He would wage battles for your soul for all eternity; not for a prosperous here and now.
Malachi’s answer about what the Messiah would be like was surprising. “For he will be like a refiner’s fire.”
A refiner kept his fire impossibly hot. So hot that it could burn away impurities and leave behind pure gold. This puzzled the people. Oh, the Messiah will change them. That’s different than thinking that the faithful would luxuriate in His glory.
And Jesus Christ is still refining us today.
Consider for a moment the things that make you unfit for His service. For me, I know that I grow frustrated far too easily. I’m impatient. Away from this microphone, far too often my language is filthy. I pray that those things might be refined out of me, leaving me a better servant for God.
Consider, in your quiet time today: what things should be refined out of you?
Chris Conley
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