Joel Littlefield

Malachi chapter 3 continues with a heavy message from the Lord to the people of Judah. At the close of chapter 2, we read about the weariness of the Lord because of the words of God’s people. Once again, they question how they’ve done anything that might weary the Lord, but the Lord says,

“By saying, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them,’ or by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’”

This isn’t a confession of faith—it’s a complaint.

As they looked around at the other nations, observing their outward wealth and success, they forgot the goodness of God. From a perspective that disregarded truth, they began to believe that God was blessing evil and wouldn’t bring justice to the wicked.

Is God Unjust?

This makes the punch of verse 1 in chapter 3 all the more powerful. Is God unjust? Will He allow the wicked to go on? Does He call evil good?

God’s response is clear:

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me… the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple… But who can endure the day of His coming? For He is like a refiner’s fire…”

It’s all building to this. This is the hope of Israel—and really the play on words that the entire prophecy uses. Malachi, the messenger, speaks to the remnant of Israel: Hold on. Stay faithful. Repent. Turn to Me. I’m sending My messenger who will prepare the way for Messiah—and when He comes, He will do what no prophet, priest, or king has done.

God’s Patience Is for Repentance

The Messiah has been promised. They’ve been waiting. In their minds, God is being slow, so they fill the time with complaints and sins. But what they’re seeing is not slowness—it’s patience.

Why is God patient?

2 Peter 3:9 tells us:

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

God’s patience remains to this day. There is a coming of the Lord still in our future, and each person needs to seriously ask:

What sort of person ought I to be?

How We Rob God

One issue that rises to the surface in this text is the matter of money—more specifically, giving our money and possessions to the Lord in whom we say we trust.

There’s been abuse and misunderstanding around this topic, but the truth remains: there’s no category of a Christian’s life over which God should not have full jurisdiction—including giving.

1. Consider the Faithfulness of God

Verse 6 says:

“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

When God calls someone to repentance, it’s always a turning from unfaithfulness to the most faithful. Judah and Israel had turned aside to idols and false worship. Yet they continued giving and tithing—but with dishonesty and half-heartedness.

God says: Repent. Return to Me.

They ask, “How shall we return?”

And He responds: “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me.”

2. Consider the Stinginess of Distrust

Verse 9:

“You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you.”

They weren’t bringing the full tithe. Their sin, doubt, and compromise had led to stinginess rooted in distrust. But God calls them to repent and bring the full tithe.

3. Remember That God Is More Generous Than We Are

Verse 10:

“Put Me to the test… if I will not open the windows of heaven… and pour down a blessing until there is no more need.”

This is the one place in Scripture where God says to test Him. Not in rebellion—but in trust.

You can’t outgive God.

4. Remember the Blessings of God

Look at what God promises:

The windows of heaven opened Blessing poured out The devourer rebuked Protection from destruction Fruitfulness restored A testimony to the nations

Let’s not rob God by holding back what belongs to Him. Let’s respond to His faithfulness with faithful, joyful, sacrificial generosity.

God owns it all—and He is always more generous than we are.