Malachi 3:6 I the Lord do not change. This is one of the most encouraging verses in all of Scripture. In an ever-changing world isn’t it comforting to know that our God, the one true God, does not change; He is completely consistent. But what is the context surrounding this verse; what message was Malachi trying to get across to the people of Judah; a message that has been preserved for us so that we may be able to grow in our grace and knowledge.
Malachi was a reminder to Israel, specifically the remnant of Judah that had returned from exile, of their covenant relationship with God. The covenant was conditional and contained promises of blessings for faithfulness and a devotion to God, but gave warning of cursing for lack of faithfulness, neglect of God and unbelief in His word. Malachi admonishes the ungodly practices of the priests, the gross idolatry of the people, the oppression of the poor, the rejection of God’s Law, and the overall moral and spiritual decline of the remaining remnant from Judah. Most of us have probably asked at one time or another: Where is God when I need Him? That appears to be what the people of Judah wanted to know. The people in Malachi’s day were depressed and discouraged because it seemed like the wicked prospered and had it better than they did. This filled them with doubt and unbelief, and they grumbled that everyone who did evil was good in God’s eyes. When they compared themselves with others, they thought it was unjust of God to bless others and not them. God’s reply reminds Judah, and us, that the first sin we need to be aware of is our own. Malachi 2:17-3:6, which is our lesson text for this Sunday, contains God’s reprimand and encouragement to His people.