A Conversation With God

A. Opening illustration: tell a made-up story about a woman who lost her husband, and was angry with God

B. Background to passage: After highlighting Judah’s unfaithfulness in several ways, the Lord answers another charge against him by the people. In v. 17 they ask the question, where is the God of justice? . But God answers in a very clear fashion, speaking to those that are looking for the promises of God’s messiah to be fulfilled. However, much to the surprise of those hearing Malachi’s message, His coming will not be just as they expected.

C. Main thought: Three aspects of the Lord’s faithfulness during this season of Judah’s existence.

A. Back Calculating the Character of God (v. 17)

1. In brief, Malachi says that the Lord is tired of hearing the people charge him with injustice. They are saying that because they are seeing evil go unpunished, God must be approving (or blessing) evil and practicing injustice. This is an assault on the character of God. They saw events or lack thereof and jumped to conclusions that go against everything they knew about God. We will see later in the text that God is incredibly concerned about justice, and we know that he doesn’t delight in evil men or the evil they do. They were formulating a God in their own mind that doesn’t exist in reality.

2. In the wake of many natural or man-made catastrophes many decry the failure of God’s goodness or his omnipotence,

3. We must study the bible for the witness to God’s character and cling to its truth in the midst of all circumstances. This will not be easy, but we must resist the temptation to back calculate the character of God through the lens of our circumstances, especially in times when events in our lives are happening that are beyond our control. Our pain can blur our vision and cause doubt in our minds to his love and mercy or his abilities to help. We may question his wisdom or willingness. Doubt is natural, and like any loving father, He wants you to come to his open arms with your fears and hurts. It’s OK to ask why but resist the temptation to accuse or call into question his character. God is near to those of you who are suffering and in pain. We may not be able to discern his wisdom or purpose in a circumstance, but rest assured, He has one, for our God is not whimsical or fickle, but intentional, calculating, wise, and good.

B. Here I Come (v. 1)

1. After they ask the question where is the God of justice, God says, “I’m coming…” First, He speaks of a messenger that will come and clear the way before Him. By the way, this is Jesus speaking in the OT, because He speaks of preparing the way before me. The Jews would have understood this to be a reference to the coming of Elijah. In fact, still today, the Jews leave a seat open at the Passover meal with its own glass of wine for the coming of Elijah, preceding the Messiah. The NT affirms that this one who came in the spirit of Elijah, as a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord was John the Baptist. Then God says that “the Lord” God himself would come and visit the people. God the father then calls Jesus the “messenger of the covenant,” a title used only here in the OT or NT; referencing the new covenant that would be established by the sacrifice of the Perfect Lamb, dealing with sin forever permanently. The Lord is always faithful and will keep His promises every time. Sometimes the timing of the Lord is different from ours, but it is always best.

2. Isa 40:3, Mal 4:5, Matt 11:14, 17:12-13,

3. Illustration: William Carey, for example, labored 7 years before the first Hindu convert was brought to Christ in Burma, and Adoniram Judson toiled 7 years before his faithful preaching was rewarded. In western Africa, it was 14 years before one convert was received into the Christian church. In New Zealand, it took 9 years; and in Tahiti, it was 16 years before the first harvest of souls began

4. Just as the Lord honored and kept His promise to send a frontrunner and a Messiah, He will keep his promise to us. Do not let the delay of His second coming lull you into a spiritual stupor. We are called to live as if he were coming back today. The signs of the times are clear with earthquakes, wars, and false prophets claiming to know the way.

5. We can always trust in the faithfulness of God. We must allow this trust in Him to sustain us as we wait on God’s timing in our lives. Delay doesn’t mean forsake. We are promised his faithfulness and care. He will always be precisely on his timing. Endure injustice and suffering through the power of the gospel as you await your Deliver to come to your aid through whatever means he sees fit.