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.
C. You May Not Like It (v. 2-4)
1. God further explained to the Jews that most of them would not really enjoy His coming. Those who walk by faith, restraining themselves from sin, would delight in their Messiah, like Anna and Simeon. But those who simply desired God to come and fix their problems, bless their businesses, condone their actions, and deliver them from oppression would have a huge wake up call. Malachi pictures the Lord as a refiner of gold and silver, and a plant that removes stains or spots from clothing. The Lord’s purpose in coming was to make holy, not make happy. So that the offering of our lives might be acceptable.
2. Pro 17:3, Isa 1:25, Dan 12:10, Zech 13:9, Tit 2:14,
3. Illustration: She says he looked like a man who had just learned of the death of a close friend. But after a few days, Sakharov returned to his work. According to his wife, each time he rewrote his memoirs there was something new—something better, “…Something precious will result from the process.”
4. The Lord’s ultimate purpose in all of our lives is to make great likeness to Jesus, thus glorifying Himself, not to meet all of our felt needs and wants, like a little heavenly errand boy. Yes, He blesses, delivers, strengthens, but prior to that He purifies. He purifies us through trials, through circumstances, through responsibility, through His word, and chastening. We don’t always know what the Lord is doing in us, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. What area of your life is God working on to make more like Jesus? There are some areas in which the Lord will not receive your offerings or worship until you make it right. In your prayer time, meditate on the things that God would be changing in you, before you petition. We must also remember that it is the Lord who purifies, not us.
D. Justice Will Be Served (v. 5-6)
1. Webster’s defines vindicate as: to clear from blame, suspicion, accusation, or doubt, to justify. As if the previous verses were not clear enough about why God would be coming, He states it here in no uncertain terms. God gives us list of people committing sin that He had intentions of judging when He came—sorcerers, adulterers, liars, cheats, the inhospitable, and those that did not fear God. Explain some of these sins. Try to put them in modern context. Sorcery - it involved the use of supernatural powers that hardened hearts against the truth. Adultery. False witnesses – people who cheat, lie, or do not keep promises. Oppressors – those who deal harshly or unfairly with others, notice who; workers, fatherless, and widows. Then the mention of lack of care or compassion on those who are from other countries.
2. Deut 32:35, Rom 12:19, Heb 10:30,
3. Illustration: that story that George and Martha (the hippos that were plotting revenge), the justification of God,
4. Be assured that sin will find you out, if not in this life, the next one. God will never allow a sin to go unpunished. That is why He can tell us not to render evil for evil, and to allow Him to seek vengeance. It’s interesting the things that God groups together. Really “bad” sins down to what we might call insignificant, even justifiable. Remember that God is holy and just, and his character demands that sin is dealt with. We must trust in God to judge who He sees fit, when He sees fit. Do not call into question God’s justice simply because the wicked prosper. Trust in the sovereignty of God. Fear the wrath of God. One day the whole world will know that they cannot mock God and survive.
III. CONCLUSION
A. Closing illustration: Ronnie Owens story about being diagnosed with illnesses and told to prepare his family for his death. His conversation with God in his bathtub.
B. Recap
C. Questions and Answers
Additional Notes
• Talk about the immutability of God
