God Is Unchanging
If you are looking for a book of the bible to reveal God’s unchanging character and attributes, you will see it clearly in the last book of the Old Testament – Malachi. In this book, we encounter a divine conversation between man and God that is argumentative, heartfelt, and convicting. A conversation that reveals profound insights into the character of God. As background, Malachi served as a prophet during a time when the Israelites had fallen into complacency and spiritual apathy. However, even amidst their faithlessness, God's character remained unwavering. Follow along with me as we review several aspects of God's character highlighted in Malachi: God's love, God’s faithfulness, and God’s justice.
God's Unfailing Love
Malachi 1:2a states, "I have loved you," says the Lord. Unlike our often-changing love, these simple words take on great power when spoken by God. When He speaks, He declares an unchanging love for His people. Despite our shortcomings and rebellion, God's love remained steadfast. This love was not then, and is not now, based on our actions or worthiness, but on His own nature. In a world where human love is often conditional and temporary, God's love endures forever. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His love for us is unshakeable.
God's Unwavering Faithfulness
Malachi 3:6 is probably the most quoted verse from this book where God declares, "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." The faithfulness of God to His children shines through in these words. While the Israelites failed to remain faithful to God, He remained steadfast in His commitment to them. God's faithfulness is rooted in His unchanging character. He is the God who keeps His promises, never breaking His covenant. Even when we are unfaithful, God remains true to His word. His faithfulness provides a solid foundation on which we can build our lives.
God's Perfect Justice
Malachi addresses the fact that God also demands justice as he describes the injustice prevalent among the Israelites. The people were engaging in dishonest practices, neglecting their tithes and offerings, and oppressing the weak and vulnerable. In response, God declared His commitment to justice. Malachi 3:5 states, "And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts."
God's justice is not arbitrary or biased. He is a fair and righteous judge who holds everyone accountable for their actions. In a world filled with injustice, God's justice brings hope. He will make all things right in His perfect timing. We can trust that no injustice will go unnoticed or unpunished in His sight. His justice reminds us that He is a God of righteousness and integrity.
Malachi means “my messenger” which seems very fitting for the 400 years of silence that will follow before Jesus comes on the scene. Even in that silence, the people hearing the words of “the messenger” could have confidence in the unchanging character of God. Even now He is a God of unfailing love, unwavering faithfulness, and perfect justice. Despite our shortcomings and failures, God's love remains constant. He extends His grace and mercy to us, inviting us to experience a restored relationship with Him through Christ, in whom we see the that, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; ”. (Colossians 1:19) His faithfulness assures us that He will never abandon or forsake us. We can trust in His promises with unwavering confidence.
Moreover, God's justice offers hope in the face of injustice. While it may seem like evildoers prosper and the righteous suffer, God sees and knows all. He will bring about justice and make all things right. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His character and be agents of love, faithfulness, and justice in the world.
Father, we are encouraged by the unchanging nature of your character. Deepen our love and appreciation for You as we meditate on the words of your prophet. Amen
Credit: Ron Kelley
God's Unfailing Love
Malachi 1:2a states, "I have loved you," says the Lord. Unlike our often-changing love, these simple words take on great power when spoken by God. When He speaks, He declares an unchanging love for His people. Despite our shortcomings and rebellion, God's love remained steadfast. This love was not then, and is not now, based on our actions or worthiness, but on His own nature. In a world where human love is often conditional and temporary, God's love endures forever. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His love for us is unshakeable.
God's Unwavering Faithfulness
Malachi 3:6 is probably the most quoted verse from this book where God declares, "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." The faithfulness of God to His children shines through in these words. While the Israelites failed to remain faithful to God, He remained steadfast in His commitment to them. God's faithfulness is rooted in His unchanging character. He is the God who keeps His promises, never breaking His covenant. Even when we are unfaithful, God remains true to His word. His faithfulness provides a solid foundation on which we can build our lives.
God's Perfect Justice
Malachi addresses the fact that God also demands justice as he describes the injustice prevalent among the Israelites. The people were engaging in dishonest practices, neglecting their tithes and offerings, and oppressing the weak and vulnerable. In response, God declared His commitment to justice. Malachi 3:5 states, "And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts."
God's justice is not arbitrary or biased. He is a fair and righteous judge who holds everyone accountable for their actions. In a world filled with injustice, God's justice brings hope. He will make all things right in His perfect timing. We can trust that no injustice will go unnoticed or unpunished in His sight. His justice reminds us that He is a God of righteousness and integrity.
Malachi means “my messenger” which seems very fitting for the 400 years of silence that will follow before Jesus comes on the scene. Even in that silence, the people hearing the words of “the messenger” could have confidence in the unchanging character of God. Even now He is a God of unfailing love, unwavering faithfulness, and perfect justice. Despite our shortcomings and failures, God's love remains constant. He extends His grace and mercy to us, inviting us to experience a restored relationship with Him through Christ, in whom we see the that, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; ”. (Colossians 1:19) His faithfulness assures us that He will never abandon or forsake us. We can trust in His promises with unwavering confidence.
Moreover, God's justice offers hope in the face of injustice. While it may seem like evildoers prosper and the righteous suffer, God sees and knows all. He will bring about justice and make all things right. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His character and be agents of love, faithfulness, and justice in the world.
Father, we are encouraged by the unchanging nature of your character. Deepen our love and appreciation for You as we meditate on the words of your prophet. Amen
Credit: Ron Kelley
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