Malachi 3:2 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But who may abide the day, &c.— Though the Jews promised themselves great felicity from the coming of the Messiah, yet he was to be considered by them in the character of a severe and just judge: for, however they delighted themselves with the hopes of his coming, the prophet declares that it should eventually prove no matter of joy to them; for the day of his coming should be a day of exact retribution; when he appears, he shall be like a refiner's fire, and as fuller's soap; he shall separate the metal from the dross, and punish the impenitent with impartiality; and then they should be able to answer their old question mentioned in the former chapter, Malachi 3:17. Where is the God of judgment? The divine judgments are often called a fiery trial, such as separates the genuine metal from the dross, purifies the former, and consumes the latter. The word ברית boreth, translated soap, was, according to St. Jerome, the name of an herb growing in Palestine, and used by the fullers. This passage may be understood of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, or of John the Baptist, who reproved with the greatest freedom and force the sins of the people. See Bishop Chandler, p. 53. Calmet, and Jeremiah 2:22.