Change or Not Change

O. T. #2354 "Change or Not Change"

Jan. 6, 2023

Malachi 3-Part 4

For I am the LORD, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (verse 6)

LET IT GLOW

When someone makes accusations against us, don't we tend to get on the defensive? But when we realize those things are true that they are saying about us, we shrink into humility, right? I suppose it is easier for others to see our faults than for us. 

Israel thought God was being unfair in all His accusations against them. However, the accusations were true. I think that is what the priests and people did not want to admit. They had sinned against God and against their brothers. God was blunt to point out the specifics, too. 

God is faithful. He always comes through with His promises. He is, was, and will always be holy, holy, holy. God will always do what is right. They should have been thankful that He did not kill them all and wipe the nation of Israel off the face of the earth.

The word change, in the Hebrew language, means hate. 

It is impossible for God to hate, for love is His nature. Now, we have read of times when He got angry and impatient, even silent for 400 years, but not hating.

God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the Son of Man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)

God keeps His Word and promises and covenant. There is no one like Him. Our God is greater, stronger, healer, awesome in power, our God.

So, are we like Israel and deny our sins, or do we admit with God that we have sinned? Grace is always shown to us and God forgives when we admit it and ask His forgiveness. Have you done so today, friend?

LET IT GROW

As I have read commentaries, I realize that those men did not consider the meaning of the word change. The do not speak about God not hating, but they focus on God not changing in our terms. 

For instance, Billy Graham sid this about our key verse: God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And because He is unchanging, He is utterly trustworthy and faithful. God is unchanging in His holiness. (Is. 6:3) He is unchanging in His demand for holiness and integrity in our lives. (Lev. 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15-16) He is unchanging in His judgment; God will judge all the earth, welcoming some into His eternal presence and sending others to eternal death. (Matt. 7:22-23) God is unchanging in His love: He sent His Son to die on the cross for us sinners.

Either way, we can agree that God is immutable and does not go back on Hia Word/Covenants. Israel will not be destroyed because of the covenant He made with Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel). It is not what they can do for Him, but what God can and will do for them. They have a future. 

If it were not for God's intervention and love, they would pass out of existence. (Falwell)

The Jews should have been grateful that God was unchanging in His nature, purposes, and promises. (Wiersbe)

God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. 

LET IT GO

Thank You Father for forgiveness, love, faithfulness.

Help us to be forgiving, loving, and faithful, too.