Malachi 3:1-20

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Chapter XXIII of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
  • Similitude VII, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
  • III.XI.4, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter IX, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • IV.18, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • II.X.6, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • II.17, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • VI.14, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • IV.XIII, V.XV, VI.XXV, VI.LXII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • On the Advantage of Patience -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
  • Deposition of Arius, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 321-322.
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • John Calvin's Commentary on Malachi.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "He shows that the hypocrites who wish so much for the Lord's coming will not remain when he draws near: for he will consume them, and purge his own and make them clean."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "The first words of this chapter seem an answer to the scoffers of those days."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
  • "The Immutability of God; Malachi 3:6," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1855.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Malachi 3:1-4, Kathryn Schifferdecker, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "Familiar to many from its use in Handel's Messiah, this passage from Malachi speaks of purification and judgment, themes not associated in the popular imagination with Christmas."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Malachi 3:1-4, The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
    • "In the context of Advent, this text might be used as an encouragement for people to examine their hearts in preparation for the Lord’s coming."
  • Malachi 3:1-4, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series C, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
  • Expository Notes, Malachi 3:1-4, Prof. Stephen L. Cook, Virginia Theological Seminary. Click on links within this introduction.
  • Malachi 3:1-4, Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Commentary, Malachi 3:1-4, Rodney S. Sadler, Jr., The African American Lectionary, 2008.
    • "During Advent, the purifying required of all who would reign with Christ calls us all to repentance as we get ready to symbolically celebrate the arrival of our king."
  • Commentary, Malachi 3:3:16-18, Rodney S. Saler, Jr., The African American Lectionary, 2008.
    • "All of this sets us up for the Day of YHWH, the great and coming day when YHWH will come and set the world in order."
  • "Refined," Malachi 3:1-4, Lori A. Cornell, Sabbatheology, The Crossings Community, 2009.
    • "It's hardly the "deck-the-halls" kind of message that we expect to hear at "the most wonderful time of the year." But for those with the faithful ears to hear, it is the message that we Advent people anticipate: God has work to do on us, refining, cleansing, preparing us for his purposes."
  • Kairos Co-Motion Lectionary Dialogue, Malachi 3:1-4/Baruch 5:1-9, Advent 2, Wesley White. Progressive Christian perspective, 2006.
  • "Refiner's Fire and Laundry Soap: Images of God in Malachi 3:1-4," Frederick J. Gaiser, Word & World, 1999.
  • "Looking to the City: The Old Testament Lessons for Advent and Christmas Day (Year C)," Paul R. Sponheim, Word & World, 1994.
  • Preacher's Magazine, 2006: Listening to the Text, Engaging the Text, Preaching the Text:
    • "Sweatin' to the Oldies: Faith," Malachi 2:17 - 3:6
    • "Sweatin' to the Oldies: Stewardship," Malachi 3:6-12
  • "The Coming Wrath," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
    • "God's judgment is a two-edged sword. It condemns yet vindicates."
  • "The Sun of Righteousness," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
• Articles & Background:
  • "Malachi 3:16: 'Book of Remembrance' or royal Memorandum? an Exegetical Note," David C. Deuel, The Master's Seminary Journal, 1996.
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  • Deuel, David C., "Malachi 3:16: 'Book of Remembrance' or Royal Memorandum? An Exegetical Note," Master's Seminary Journal, 1996.
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  • Egger, Thomas, "Homiletical Helps on LW Series B - Epistles," Concordia Journal, 2007. (Section on this text begins on p. 412.)
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  • Gaiser, Frederick J., "Refiner's Fire and Laundry Soap: Images of God in Malachi 3:1-4," Word & World, 1999.
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  • Hurowitz, Victor Avigdor, "'KL in Malachi 3:11 -- Caterpillar," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2002.
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  • Keown, Gerald L., "Messianism in the Book of Malachi," Review and Expositor, 1987.
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  • Johnson, Dennis E., "Fire in God's House: Imagery from Malachi 3 in Peter's Theology of Suffering (1 Pet 4:12-19)," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1986.
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  • Polaski, Donald C., "Between Text & Sermon: Malachi 3:1-12," Interpretation, 2000.
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  • Proctor, John, "Fire in God's House: Influence of Malachi 3 in the NT," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1993.
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  • Scalise, Pamela J., "Malachi 3:13 - 4:3 -- A Book of Remembrance for God-fearers," Review & Expositor, 1998.
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  • Scalise, Pamela J., "To Fear or Not to Fear: Questions of Reward and Punishment in Malachi 2:17-4:3," Review and Expositor, 1987.
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  • Sponheim, Paul R., "Looking to the City: The Old Testament Lessons for Advent and Christmas (Year C)," Word & World, 1994.
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  • Stokes, Ryan E., "I, Yhwh, Have Not Changed? Reconsidering the Translation of Malachi 3:6; Lamentations 4:1; and Proverbs 24:21-22," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2008.
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  • Waldman, Nahum M., "Some Notes on Malachi 3:6, 3:13; and Psalm 42:11," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1974.
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  • Webb-Mitchell, Brett, "'For Crying Out Loud!' Second Sunday of Advent," Journal for Preachers, 1995.
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  • Weise, Robert W., "Homiletical Helps on the LSB Series C - Old Testament / A - Epistles," Concordia Journal, 2007. (Section on this text begins on page 389.)
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• Sermons:
  • "Fire and Soap," the Rev. Scott Black, Day 1, 2006.
• Reviews:
• With Children:
  • "The Lord Will Be Like a Strong Soap in a Wash Basin," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
• Drama:
  • "God Leaves the Light On," dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Malachi 3:20, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Malachi 3:1, 6, 17. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymn Selections, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Abide With Me
    • Love Divine
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Malachi
• Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
  • John the Baptist Types
  • Prophecy
  • Judgment
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Malachi