Continuing from the previous couple of articles that looked at verses from Malachi 2, we find a passage that is similar to one that was covered in an earlier article. When people complained that sinful people were getting away with rebelling against God, their problem wasn’t because of God, but rather their limited perspective. They couldn’t see the bigger picture that God understands: where justice is always served, and He never forgets the righteous.
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?”
Malachi 2:17 NIV
https://malachi.bible/malachi-2-17
It may seem ironic for fallen human beings to complain that God isn’t doing His job. However, I’ve probably been guilty of that, like when the guy who blows past me on a city street doesn’t immediately get a flat tire as he zooms out of sight. (And yes, my driving has its own issues!)
However, as we continue to Malachi chapter 3, God describes what He is going to do about evil people who seem to be thriving, and what He is going to do about injustice.
“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.
Malachi 3:1 NIV
There appear to be two individuals mentioned here: one who will “prepare the way” (NIV) or “clear a way” (NASB), and the Lord. This latter individual is who the people in Malachi’s day have been looking for: someone who will bring justice and righteousness.
Having the advantage of about 2400 years of history since Malachi was written, the Lord who was coming (i.e., the future in Malachi’s day, but the past for us) was Jesus. And, if the Lord is Jesus, then John the Baptist was certainly one who prepared the way.
Jesus did fulfill the covenant between God and the Israelite people: living God’s will perfectly, and then providing ultimate justice. However, He didn’t do so in the way that the people of Malachi’s day expected. For instance, when we accept Jesus, we accept that justice was served for all of our sins through His sacrificial death, as He paid the penalty that we deserved. The people in Malachi’s time probably wanted to see evil people punished in a dramatic way, but God loved the world enough to let them return to Him, so He took on the punishment Himself.
In addition, Jesus challenged those who heard Him to live with hearts that sought righteousness, rather than just looking good externally. This is exactly the sort of reform that was needed in Malachi’s day, as well, even if it wasn’t always expected (or practiced).
However, let’s not miss out on the role of John the Baptist, also. He prepared the way for Jesus Christ, and as the Lookout points out, John’s message called out sin for what it was, and challenged people to repent. This was the opposite of those who called evil “good”.
So, if you’re looking for justice today, I believe that God still wants His people to help those who are being taken advantage of, and it is worthwhile to fight for justice on behalf of those who need it. Our goal should still be to support good and oppose evil. However, before we accuse God of not delivering swift and permanent justice for those who clearly break the rules, let’s pause and remember that He might have a better plan…not just for them, but for us, too!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for August 25, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, August, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Minor Prophets Vol. 2 Nahum-Malachi, by Mark Allen Hahlen and Clay Alan Ham. © 2006 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 