Malachi 3:6 - Homiletics

The twofold aspect of the unchangeableness of God.

Three truths are taught here.

I. THAT GOD IS UNCHANGEABLE .

1 . His nature is a pledge of it. Being absolutely perfect, any change of nature must be for the worse. The "light" ( 1 John 1:5 ) would be dimmed; any "variation" would cause "a shadow that is cast by turning" ( James 1:17 , Revised Version). He is "Alpha and Omega," and not an intervening letter can be displaced; not a "jot or tittle" can pass away.

2 . His Name declares it. Whether we interpret the Divine Name, "I am that I am," or "I will be that I will be," unchangeableness is implied. He "is, and was, and is to come, the Almighty." He has emotions, but these are not the capricious feelings of a changeable creature; e.g. contrast the wrath of God and that of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2:1-49 . and 3. He revokes promises or reverses threats; but he "cannot lie" ( Titus 1:2 ; cf. Numbers 23:19 ). The strongest assurance of this truth is found in the revelation of the Divine Name in Jesus Christ, who through successive ages is proving himself to be "the same yesterday, today, and forever."

II. THAT THIS UNCHANGEABLENESS OF GOD IS THE GROUND OF HOPE FOR THE GUILTY . For God hath an "eternal purpose, which he hath purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." And he says, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." That eternal purpose included his dealings with the elect race of the old covenant. In spite of their many sins, he wrought out his gracious purposes respecting them (cf. Le 26:42-45; Deuteronomy 7:7 , Deuteronomy 7:8 ). And still God remembers the land and the people ( Zechariah 14:10 , Zechariah 14:11 ; Romans 11:25-29 ). The same unchangeableness brings hope to all of us who have been invited and have been led to trust in our Saviour-God, "who hath saved us," etc. ( 2 Timothy 1:9 ). Those unalterable purposes include our purification (cf. Daniel 2:3 , Daniel 2:4 ). For that end Christ gave himself for us ( Ephesians 5:26 ; Titus 2:14 ), and towards that end God is ever working. Well may we marvel at the everlasting mercy and the unchanging faithfulness of God ( Lamentations 3:22 , Lamentations 3:23 ). The immutability of God is the sheet anchor of our souls when the storm of guilt and fear threatens our destruction. It was a high eulogy on a Roman commander in a time of national peril that he had not despaired of the republic. It is to the glory of God that he does not despair of us sinners, in spite of our inherited and inveterate sinfulness ( Daniel 2:7 ), but "waits, that he may be gracious," etc. ( Isaiah 30:18 ), and seeks to overcome our evil by his unchangeable good.

III. THAT THIS HOPE FOR THE GUILTY IS A PLEDGE OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE IMPENITENT . This is seen by the connection of Daniel 2:5 and Daniel 2:6 . The unchangeableness of God requires that "the transgressors shall be destroyed together" ( Psalms 37:38-40 ). "There needs no scire facias - a writ calling one to show cause, to revive God's judgment; for it is never antiquated or out of date; but against those that go on in their trespasses, the curse of his Law still remains in full force, power, and virtue" (M. Henry); cf. Ecclesiastes 8:11 . But judgment deferred is not forgotten ( 2 Peter 3:8 , 2 Peter 3:9 ). If judgment is to be escaped, men must change, for God cannot (see the argument in Ezekiel 18:1-30 ; and cf. John 3:7 ).

Learn:

1 . The blessedness of being in unalterable unity with the unchangeable God. For this a reconciliation and a regeneration are provided by God himself ( 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ; James 1:18 ). And then "if God be for us, who can be against us?" Changes in our circumstances need little affect us. Eden was no Paradise to Adam without God; the fiery furnace was no terror to Shadrach with God.

2 . "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." For the unchangeable holiness of God is a consuming fire, which must destroy us in our sins if it does not separate us from them.