The upcoming Sunday selections from the prophet Malachi offers us a scene when Malachi speaks the word of the Lord. Although he himself is a messenger from God, he tells the people of another messenger to come, suddenly and without warning, who will be an advance man for God Almighty. And that messenger's job will be to make the way ready for the Lord. That messenger will function like a refining fire that rids gold and silver of impurities, only his fire will purify the people.