Malachi: Where is the God of Justice?
Click Above to Listen! (It takes a few seconds to load)
A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. GOD’S JUSTICE DENIED
A. WEARYING GOD
Mal 2:17a You have wearied YHWH with your words.
But you ask, “How have we wearied Him?”
1. TALK, TALK, TALK
2. ANOTHER QUESTION? (also Is 43:24)
B. QUESTIONING GOD
Mal 2:17b By saying, “Those who do wrong are acceptable in the sight of YHWH; He is pleased with them.” Or questioning, “Where is the God Who is [supposed to be] just?”
1. PERSPECTIVE
2. JUSTICE (also Jer 12:1; Rev 21:5)
II. GOD’S JUSTICE DECLARED
A. MESSENGER – FIRST ADVENT
Mal 3:1a “Behold, I send My Messenger, and He will prepare the way before Me.
1. FORERUNNER (also Is 40:3-5)
2. JOHN (also Mt 11:10; Mark 1:2-5; Luke 7:24-27)
3. IMPLICATIONS
B. MESSENGER – SECOND ADVENT
Mal 3:1b And YHWH whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; and the Messenger of the covenant in Whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says YHWH-Tsabaoth.
1. BEFORE ME (also II Pet 3:4; Amos 5:18)
2. MESSIAH (also Isaiah 9:6-7)
III. GOD’S JUSTICE DESCRIBED
A. RHETORICAL QUESTION
Mal 3:2a But who can endure the day of His coming, and who can stand when He appears?
1. ENDURE (also Is 11:4)
2. JUDGMENT
B. QUESTION ANSWERED
Mal 3:2b-3a For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold and silver,
1. ON THE THRONE
2. PURIFICATION
C. RESULT?
Mal 3:3b and they will bring offerings in righteousness to YHWH.
1. GOAL
2. DIFFERENCE