Malachi 3:6 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: "I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

NASB: For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, the sons of Jacob, have not come to an end.

CSB: "Because I, the Lord, have not changed, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.

NLT: I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

KJV: For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

NKJV: “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

This verse is often cited as proof that God is unchanging and constant. This is a valid point to take from this part of Scripture. At the same time, there is an additional idea being put forward here. The key concept in this verse is the word "therefore." This links the two points being made in the proper order.

Malachi began with a reminder that God's judgment can result in the destruction of an entire nation (Malachi 1:1–4). Edom sinned, and was eventually obliterated. Israel, on the other hand, has been preserved by God. At one time, Israel honored God the way He intended them to (Malachi 2:4–5). In Malachi's day, the people had moved away from God, to improper sacrifices (Malachi 1:7–8), divorce (Malachi 2:14), and paganism (Malachi 2:11). What this verse points out, in clear terms, is that Israel's survival is not because of their own merit. Quite the opposite—they deserve severe punishment (Numbers 18:32). The one and only reason they have not been annihilated is because God does not change, and so His promises are secure.

This would have been quite a sobering message for the people of Malachi's day. They have "wearied" God with their sin (Malachi 2:17). God is not saying, "you have survived because you deserve mercy," or even "because I love you, you remain." Malachi is specifically saying that Israel owes its survival entirely to the faithfulness of God. In other words, it is only His unchanging and perfect promises which have kept Israel from suffering the same fate as Edom.

Malachi 2:17—3:6 presents a dangerous accusation from Israel against God, and His sobering response. Israel accuses God of letting the wicked prosper and for not enacting enough justice in the world. God's reply reminds Israel, and us, that the first sin we need to be aware of is our own. God promises to send a messenger, preparing the way for Him. God also predicts the day when He will ''draw near'' for judgment. This uses metaphors including fire and powerful cleaning substances. In short, judgment is coming—to everyone.

The final message, completed in chapter 4, is an appeal for God's chosen people to return. God would prefer to see them redeemed, than to be destroyed, when the end finally comes. This passage includes God's promise to send a messenger heralding the Messiah. And, that the Promised One will someday rule and conquer the wicked. In the meantime, Israel must stop ''robbing'' Him by withholding His tithes and offerings. Only God's unchanging nature has kept Israel from destruction. At the same time, God will remember those who have been faithful during these faithless times.

Malachi's first message, to the priests, ended in chapter 2. The prophecy then shifts to accuse Israel of unfaithfulness across chapter 2 and the beginning of chapter 3. The final message covers the last half of chapter 3 and all of the short fourth chapter. This last warning is centered on Israel's failure to pay God His tithes and offerings, as well as a promise to send Messiah to judge all sin.

Malachi is the last message of prophecy given to Israel prior to 400 years of silence. Israel has rebuilt the temple, following the invasions of Babylon, but they are still under foreign oppression. Israel's spiritual condition, however, is dire. Hosea depicted Israel as prone to failure, but repentant. Later, Ezekiel exposed Israel's blatant disobedience. By the time of Malachi, Israel has passed into numbness and apathy. Unlike other Old Testament prophets, Malachi takes the form of a dialogue, where Israel responds to accusations as if unaware that they've occurred. The next prophetic voice from God would not come until the ministry of John the Baptist.