The Promise Keeper

Malachi 3:5-6

God has some ominous words for those being addressed by Malachi.

"Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness..."

A swift witness. God is the ultimate judge. He is the righteous judge. There will be no hesitation whatsoever in His actions.

He said He would judge those who practiced such things as sorcery. The prophet Samuel told King Saul that God had rejected him as King because of his rebellion, which was the same as divination (sorcery or witchcraft). 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

Rebellion is what comes from us when we are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:19-21)

He will judge adulterers. God very specifically forbids adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

Faithfulness to ones spouce is a condition of the heart. (Matthew 5:27-28, Matthew 15:17-20)
Marriage, the relationship between a husband and wife, is a picture of the relationship between Christ and His church, between God and His people. God used the prophet Hosea to paint a beautiful picture of this relationship. He loves us unconditionally. He will come for us, He will restore us to a right relationship with Himself.

If you have never read the book of Hosea, I highly recommend that you do.

He will judge those who swear falsely. I think James gives us the best advice concerning swearing or promising things. He says just don't do it. Let your word be your bond. (James 5:12)

God will judge the opressors. James addresses this as well. (James 1:27) I suppose a good rule of thumb for not being an opressor of others is found in Luke 6:31. Just treat other people the same way that you would like for them to treat you.

In Malachi 3:6, God says something deeply profound. A very short statement that holds volumes of meaning.

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

In Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 13:14-18, God promised some things to Abraham. The Apostle Paul expounds on this in chapter 4 of his letter to the Romans.

God made these promises to Abraham, and because God does not change (James 1:17), Abraham's descendants were not destroyed.

Abraham's offspring multiplied. Through the generations, a descendant of his was born. The Descendant. Christ Jesus.

Because of God's promises to Abraham, and because of the fact that God does not change, we are truly blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). Our sins have been taken away! (John 1:29)

God's promise has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

God is AWESOME!