Malachi Chapter 3
The questions or thoughts of the last verse of chapter 2 leads into the answer in chapter 3.
God said the people are always asking, “why are the people in the world that do evil seem to be rewarded?”
The people also ask “where is the God of justice?”
The truth is that we humans truly do not want God’s justice because if He were to act justly toward all sinners, all would be condemned to death and there would be no mercy.
Thankfully we have a God who is rich in mercy and grace and has provided a way for us to escape this condemnation.
Let's Reflect
John 3:18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
1. The first verse tells us that God will bring a messenger on the scene who will prepare the way for the Lord. This prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament. Who is this messenger? See Matthew 11:10-11.
2. In a royal procession the messenger went before the king to announce his arrival, to announce the route of the procession, and to remove any obstacles in the way. This messenger will do exactly that. Notice that the king will suddenly come to His temple, and He is also called the messenger. It is the Lord Himself who is the fulfillment of what?
Isaiah 40:3-5 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
3. The people had been asking God to exact His justice on the evildoers, but in the day when He literally does will they be able to endure it? How is the justice of Jesus described?
4. What types of sinners are mentioned that will be judged?
5. We learn a very important truth about God in verse 6, what is it?
6. God told them to return to Him. The people in Malachi’s day may not have been worshipping idols as their ancestors did, but their worship of God was hollow or half-hearted. One evidence of their lack of true worship is described in verse 10, what is it?
7. God brought to their attention that He heard their words when they spoke against Him. They spoke against God because they felt He had not acted fairly. And because they determined in their hearts that God was not fair to them, they decided to do what?
8. Those who feared the LORD, God also saw. He took notice that they esteemed the name of God higher than their own. What does God call this person? See verse 17.
9. The man who fears God, respects Him will see the mercy of God. God will do what for Him?
10. On the judgement day, which is still in the future, people will see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. It will be very clear. He also says that it will be clear where the people’s hearts are. We will see who the people have been loyal to. How is this described in the last sentence?
Devotionals
