Is there any justice in the world? We’ve literally just prayed for some heavy, hard, challenging matters. Is it fair? Is the suffering of some of our people deserved? Where is God while we face these things? Why doesn’t he just intervene.
Life’s not fair hey – that’s what we trot out. That’s the line with give our kids when, I don’t know, hypothetically, one kid gets a gift they really like and another hates his or her, in this complete hypothetical 13th birthday present. And they whinge its not fair.
For the visitors here this morning, we’re walking through the book of Malachi in a series stretching over a couple of months – we’re probably about halfway right now, and there are a lot of questions, just like this one popping out.
Malachi – last book in the old testament – the messenger / prophet is indicting – he is listing disputes – basically he is working through several problem areas between the people of God and the Holy God himself. This was meant to be a harmonious people of Judah living in covenant with God – in a sense a contract. I will make you a great people, God says to Abraham, blessing through all the nations through the earth etc…. but you (the people of God) you need follow my instructions. There are important rules to live by – regarding worship, regarding family life, etc.
But once again, as we have seen repeating through the Old Testament up and down they go, and God has instated this messenger to deal out some important home truths in order to bring the people back to God and restore proper worship.
Today is dispute number 4.
The people have challenged the Love of God, they have not lived up to acceptable standards of Worship – giving leftovers at the offering, that sort of thing. Last week was about unfaithfulness – they’ve been intermarrying into other religions, they’ve been divorcing their wives, they’ve been unfaithful to one another as a people, and in doing so, again, breaking the terms of the contract - the covenant relationship they have with God.
Today’s topic is about Justice, and again, in the back and forward dialogue that Malachi details, this time they are arrogantly questioning the God on High. Where are you God?
The response that follows is a beautiful picture of a future for these people. Assuming they get their act in order of course, the foretelling includes a warning for those that don’t comply with the requirements of a Holy, JUST God.
Let’s read together from Malachi 2 verse 17.
Breaking Covenant Through Injustice
17 You have wearied the Lord with your words.
“How have we wearied him?” you ask.
By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”
3 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.
2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.
5 “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.
And that’s the section for the morning.
It begins with Malachi stating that the people have wearied God with their words. Perhaps a metaphorical turn of phrase, I don’t think the Almighty God is literally, tired and in need of rest – but you get the sense quickly – He’s had enough of this sort of complaint. It’s one of a longer list, it’s not new, he’s heard it before, and they need to stop it.
All who do evil are Good in the eyes of the Lord.. or even more directly Where is the God of Justice?
Where is God? Why hasn’t he acted? We are oppressed and afflicted and he does nothing? There is so much evil surrounding us, and God seemingly allows it all – he must therefore see this evil as Good… in other words there is no consequence or punishment or justice for evil doers
OR alternatively – is he even there? Why are all these bad things happening to us good people, and why are the really bad people – you , know not us, those baddies over there – why are they thriving? They are getting away with it scott free! Where is the Justice?
That’s a complaint from 2500 years ago, isn’t it amazing how it could be from this morning?
If there is such an all powerful God in existence, how come this life is so hard. How come there is so much suffering, UNJUST, UNBRIDLED evil in the world. Is God indifferent? Does he not care?
Similar to the other disputes – it’s connected to Covenant relationship, but really the crux of the matter in that the people are expecting God to act according to their own definitions of the terms of the contract. Those wicked people over there – not us – they need to get got. Ping them Lord. Oh, and do it right now, at a time suitable to us. Why are you delaying? Why are you taking so long? All these questions…
Verse 3 – just one verse kicks off the Lords response, and wow, what a whole lot is being said in just a few words.
The key to unlocking the verse is thinking about the different people mentioned. Obviously the Lord is speaking Jehovah / Yahweh (Through Malachi), and the people are hearing. 2nd group. But you see, and we know, this side of history and fulfilled promise and prophecy exactly who else is mentioned.
I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Who is that do you think? Who is the messenger sent by God, if you were to page a few pages forward in your bible to the beginning of the Gospels – its John the Baptist.
Then, suddenly – the Lord you are seeking. Will come to his temple. THE messenger of the Covenant, whom you desire. Will come.
Suddenly, unexpectedly, I don’t know say, in a manger born to a virgin in a poor community, - yes, the completion and fulfillment of the Covenant Jesus himself – is coming.
Did you notice the two reminders – The Lord you are seeking. The messenger whom you desire.
That allusion – that link – even to old testament groups, entrenched in Old Testament worship – the desired, sought out, promised, waited upon, Saviour Messiah – is coming – the promise is true, the promise is reinforced, restated – God still promises to and WILL and (2025 has) delivered just like he said he would…
A lot of insight easily gleaned this side of history, and regular direct teaching that we are exposed to. OH, that means this event, and this is clearly duh, referring to that guy who would come along after. The temple isn’t a physical temple, oh the Covenant - remember when Jesus said this cup is a New Covenant in my blood. We’ve got the whole timeline laid out for us in this nook, isn’t it incredible, we just need to turn the page. And we’re so lazy, we don’t turn the page. We miss out on so much right in front of us.
These people, waiting for revelation from the Lord are however left in a mystery.
Consider for a moment the timing of all these things – take yourself to, whatever the date may be - 500 years bc – and the Lord God making a future promise to his people. And that promise would only be fulfilled 5 centuries – five hundred years later. Their childrens children children children etc etc etc would only know the truth of the outcome.
Could they have fully known what Malachi was talking about, I wonder. They would have been left, listen, having to trust the Lord on his word. It would have been an act of faith to accept this future promise. For us, seeing is believing, Word became flesh, revealed to us, it has taken place. Recorded for us. Its history.
But for them, this sudden event – hey just around the corner – like the South African now now – just now – 500 years from now.
You see this all through scripture don’t you. Why is God not specific enough – he knows exactly when things will happen – why not just give a hint – a clue, a little morsel so the Judeans aren’t left going – wait, did he mean like, this week, or half a millennia from now...
Lets be honest, you know the exact reason why. Because human beings – just like you, me, the Judeans, even like my son with his book report due imminently, will leave it all to the last minute.
Why get right with God now, why sort out our worship, and our relationships with each other, and our leaders or whatever. He’s not arriving for another 500 years… We have plenty of time to sort this out - we’re in control.
And that exactly why none of this is ever revealed. Because we’re not in control – this is Holy God is his own timing – you have NO clue when this will happen. Its not up to you.
And that, I believe, links directly to the dispute the people had with God – Where’s your justice God – we are waiting on you to act – why have you not done it yet. I need you to do it NOW.
The Eternal God is not subject to the timing and desires of man. Never has, never will be.
These guys who come along every once in a while and say, oh they’ve figured out something special about the end times, and actually Trump is Antichrist and the Middle East means this and therefore in 2026 on May the 3rd Jesus will return – blegh, forget it. It is not for you to know. It is intentionally hidden, and left up to God and his timing alone.
So in response to the wearying claims of injustice from the people – their impatient cries for help – Help is on the way – when – that’s another matter entirely BUT.
But – Chapter 3 vs 2 starts with a But. A BIG BUTT. You know what I mean.
You guys want judgement – you guys want justice? Are you sure you’re ready for it? Who are these people Godly people that will endure this trial and judging? Is it you? Really? Who can endure? Who can stand? Implying – all will fall down – all will fall short
This is what it is actually gonna be like – and the picture put forward here, is the same put forward in numerous places throughout the old and new testament– describing the act of God cleansing his people – you will be refined, yes, you will be cleansed, yes, but it is gonna hurt. Soap – you’re gonna get scrubbed and whacked against the rocks, tumbled around, twisted and strained and beaten and shaken until the dirt comes out and you are clean.
The refiners fire picture, which is repeated – is even more harsh – those parts of you that are not Holy will be burnt away. Painfully torn from you.
Somebody recently - I think it was here, sounds like something David Williams would challenge us on – asked us how willingly we will give up those non God honouring things that we hold onto so dearly. How easy it will be for those impurities to be sheared off from us. He will purify the Levites and refine them like Gold or Silver. Levites – yes, the Levites, we said last week – this in’t just a rebuke for the people – the Leaders – ESPECIALLY THE LEADERS need to be made Holy. It’s a powerful picture. Not only a picture of separation from sin, but a picture of destruction of sin – burnt away, Victory, removed never to return. And a revealing of true value, bright shining, God reflecting, Gold and Silver of the highest worth. The outcome that will then follow – the next verse reveals the point and harkens back to a day in Judah and Jerusalem when it was once like this. In former years.
Only then, will the offerings be acceptable – as in former years. Like things once were, with righteous people. See the other disputes were saying the same thing – you’ve fallen away, the standard has dropped. But Gods acceptable standard has not changed. The next verse we didn’t get to in this mornings reading says exactly this. And as much as God wants to protect his people and keep them safe and provide for them and care for them – what, actually is their job – their reason for existence – is to POINT – give Glory to God – what is most important then is the standard of their worship. Purify their Hearts with FIRE - THEN what will follow - the offerings of worship and tribute and praise and glorification with be acceptable. Inside out.
But I want to circle back to another consequence of this refinement, or of this judgement – that actually was mentioned first. Who will stand, who can endure? There will be those who are completely destroyed by the wrath of God. Make no mistake – scripture tells us that. The biggest judgement awaits for the unforgiveable sin – of rejecting God – for us of rejecting Christ.
Refinement and purification ultimately for the people of God, for those whose faith is placed in him. But judgement, condemnation for those who are not.
So the point here. These people who are questioning, who are calling for the judgement of God – they are in a very real sense actually calling down judgement upon themselves.
SO I will come to put you on trial says God – you asked for it, its gonna happen.
You ask, does Jesus put us on trial? Do we think about Him in that way? Jesus the teacher, Jesus the sacrifice on the cross, Jesus the way to God – Jesus the ultimate expression of Gods Love for us and kindness and forgiveness towards us – do we ever consider his position in our judgement?
John 5
22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
So there’s a salvation issue – eternal life judgement. What you have done with Jesus is the most important judgement call that will ever be made over your life.
But there is more than that – the bible explicitly refers to a coming judgement still, based on works – yes, works, for the believer. Lawrence will pick this up in a few weeks in Malachi when covering the Day of the Lord
2 Corinthian 5
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Jesus is most definitely involved in our judgement.
When you see him face to face, when every knee bows one day, will he be the bearer of Gods Grace to you? Or Gods wrath?
Last verse for the morning – verse 5 - I’m always interested when verses like this last one go into specifics. Like its not just a general warning to the vague ungodly – The Holy Spirit has inspired the writer here to be so specific. Sorcerers, ooh, those guys are going to get hit hard. OK, I dunno really what a sorcerer is or does…. so maybe some are less well known or less meaningful across the ages.
But as an example of a clear warning – there was mention of those who defraud labourers of their wages. I was literally talking to someone on Friday whose employer is withholding payment.
Ding – you think these 2500 year old words don’t speak today?
Meeting God in his wrath, executed by his son in judgement on that day is terrifying enough – imagine if you fall into that category PARTICULARLY IDENTIFIED AND MENTIONED in his word. Like guys, I told you specifically not to do this. How much more terrifying. What a warning. To those who deprive others of justice – just wait and see wait is actually coming. Not only will those who you have wronged be standing against you – the Lord God will be quick to testify …against you.
You could put it differently – a few commentators on this passage draw the following comparison, I wish I was clever enough to claim it as my own.
The question, then, is ,what kind of fire do you want. You long for judgement, you demand justice from a Holy God - and he will come in judgement, just like he promised.
Will he be a refining fire? That purifies you and cleanses you and turns you into an acceptable offering? Where in Christ, even in his judgement role – we stand redeemed. We can endure, we can stand, because of the ultimate fulfilment of this Malachi judgement promise – in Jesus.
Or is the other kind of fire awaiting – an all consuming fire. Where a just, pure terrifying Holy God enacts his wrath against those who have rejected Him.
We all have to face this reality. Oldest to the youngest of us. Those raised in the faith and those only recently exposed. To the Levites and high priests 2500 years ago.
Is there justice in the world? Oh yes, most definitely? And the answer doesn’t lie in why good things happen to bad people or why bad things happen to good people… and moaning at God to mete out Justice according to our timing and our terms.
The answer is in His provision of justice and The Lord who you are seeking, who your souls so need and desire – the God in his temple – Jesus Himself - hey guys, you know who is his temple – we are his temple. The messenger of the New Covenant himself – given in his blood – we remembered it just a moment ago. TO make a way for ALL people.
Great New song David
So let it be today, we shout the hymn of heaven, With angels and the saints, we raise a mighty roar, Glory to our God who gave us life beyond the grave, Holy Holy is the Lord.
Lets close in prayer
We had a men’s breakfast yesterday, was a lekker time, and we were closing in prayer and guys were giving their lovely thanksgiving type prayers, thank you God for our Families, and our Jobs, and all the usual blessings, and the final prayer, one of our seniors I wont name names called us to account and pointed out none of us were giving thanks for the hardships we were facing, the suffering, the challenges, the things in our lives that we would love to be rid from - no mention of thanks for those things…. Even though the bible tells us these things are allowed for our good, our growth and ultimately somehow – His Glory.
So lets pray that hard prayer this morning shall we.
Father we read the complaints this morning in Malachi – where is the God of Justice? We consider that we, your people, are just as impatient, just as wearying and just as disrespectful even today. Help us to see how you work all things for our good. Help us to wait on you, to submit to your timing and not our own. Who could stand – who could endure, we know without Jesus we would still be dead in our sins. Thank you for sending him to take the wrath that we justly deserved. Until that day that he returns and judges once again – help us father to be your people, to bear your name, to submit to your will and your timing. In all things giving Glory back to You – Amen.
