A Messenger Will Prepare for God's Arrival (and Judgment)
Today's reading offers God's promise of judgment to the still wayward people of Jerusalem. God will send a "messenger" who will prepare the people for God's arrival by purifying the teachings and actions of the priests. When this is done, God will arrive to judge the people, punishing those who have been unfaithful -- particularly those who have cut corners by not fulfilling their tithe every year. And God will reward those who have kept their faith righteously, despite the bad teaching of the priests and the poor examples of others.
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Malachi 3 today.