“He changed not; therefore they were not consumed.”, And what other reason can be assigned for our continuance on mercy’s ground? O, for the faith to believe that God cannot nor will change His immutable purpose. Consider the advantages a Christian may have, in this consideration, that God is unchangeable. We, too, can let down in our offerings: the offering of our lives. "Commentary on Malachi 3:6". ]: and the change was, not in his purposes, but in his dispensations according to his purpose [Note: Isaiah 14:24; Isaiah 14:27; Isaiah 46:10.]. These “sons of Jacob” are God’s own sons. [God has said, that “except we repent, we shall all perish;” and, that “except we be born again, we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven [Note: John 3:3. 3. What the passage is saying is, that if it were not for the immutable promises of God, Jacob would have been consumed in an instant, a fate which they fully deserved. This is what actually happens among men. Robbing God. For I am the Lord, I change not— "Because I am the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, and am true to the promises given to your fathers, therefore you still continue a people, and are not consumed as your iniquities deserve." I want immutable things; and I find that I have immutable promises when I turn to the Bible. 3. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/malachi-3.html. All are dependent on Him, but He is dependent on none. “I am the Lord; I change not.” The description can only be true of God Himself. https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-minor-prophets/ “Sons of Jacob.”. Promises are only as good as the person who makes them, so the fact that Yahweh does not change strengthens the certainty of their fulfillment (cf. But God has everything in Himself perfectly. Every one will at once say, "It is the long-suffering of God." In two ways. He changes not in His promises. 1765. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Malachi 3:6-18 Giving Up On God; Malachi 3:8-10 Christian Tithing; Malachi 3:8-12 Don't Rip Off God; Malachi 3:8-12 Commitment Where It Hurts; Malachi 3:13-18 Is It Futile To Serve God? They cannot fail of fulfilment. If He did not change His choices, He would be unresponsive; if He changed His character, He would be unreliable. his covetousness, frowardness, &c.; and yet I will heal him. You have rejected my," &c. BibliographyHaydock, George Leo. The lesson from all the mutable creation is the immutable God. The point in the heavens towards which, according to some astronomers, the whole of the solar system is drifting, is a fixed point. Our glorious Lord stands recorded in this chapter as Jehovah, self-existent, one with the Father and the Spirit. Many preachers (especially Baptists!) Having all power and all knowledge, He can never resolve upon anything which shall be either not possible or not reasonable to be accomplished. "Commentary on Malachi 3:6". It is mutatio rei non Dei, effectus non affectus, facti non consilii. But I would ask you this question: were you at this moment, with your bodily eyes, to see your blessed Saviour extended on His Cross, offering Himself a sacrifice for the sins of His enemies, could you doubt that His most precious blood was able to wash away even your sins, however heavy and numerous? Not in Himself, nor in His purpose, to change His dealings on the conditions stated. (C. H. It imports three things: 1. (S. Clarke, D. D.). Christ is like the rock in mid-ocean, that never changes, and braves every storm; feeling is like the restless, shifting water that rolls round it. 3. That he giveth being to his word, effecting whatsoever he speaketh. You can find the best commentary on Malachi for you using the tools on … The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. And though they have broken the covenant, the Lord on His part changes not. Remember, then, that God is the same, whatever may be removed. But instead of this He draws the opposite, reminding them that it was because of His eternal purpose to keep the seed of Jacob alive upon the earth, as a witness for Him for the world’s sake, and not because of their faithfulness, that they had been spared. ].” We must distinguish indeed between the promises that are conditional, and those which are unconditional: those which are conditional, are of no force, if the condition whereon they are suspended be not performed: and, in reference to those, God said to his people, “Ye shall know my breach of promise [Note: Numbers 14:30; Numbers 14:34. To which unchangeableness the prophet had bound himself by the power of love, when he said Psalm 27:4, "One thing I required of the Lord, which I will require, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord." There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. Does a power of producing change in God exist in His Creatures? https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/malachi-3.html. It defiles all that they touch, and all that they think and all that they do. In the third place, let me very shortly address those who are really making devotional and practical religion the principal object of their lives, and who humbly trust that, through the Divine blessing, they ale gradually increasing in all godliness and Christian virtue. Is there anywhere in the past an act of His power, a word of His lip, a revelation of His heart which has been a strength or a joy or a light to any man? therefore ye … are not consumed — Ye yourselves being “not consumed,” as ye have long ago deserved, are a signal proof of My unchangeableness. Men are mutable, and there is no hold to be taken of what they say. The unchanging God as the foundation of our changeful lives. 1. What a ground of terror is here afforded to the impenitent? 4. How well calculated is the contemplation of the Divine immutability to promote confidence in God. ].” God is said indeed to have “repented that he had made man [Note: Genesis 6:6. 4. Therefore it is that God loves us with such an unwearied love,—because His love preceded our love, and He loved us from all eternity. He reigns over the whole universe with calm and equitable sway. Malachi 3:6, KJV: "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." And it is in Him that the unchanging mercy of God shines forth with the greatest lustre. Wherein can man be profitable to God? Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". And because of this ancient covenant, ye Jews are not totally consumed; but ye are now, and shall be still, preserved as a distinct people - monuments both of my justice and mercy. The Targum is, "for I the Lord have not changed my covenant.'. Ways? And in what words shall I describe the folly and danger of such persons! Of the perfections of God, His immutability is here placed before us. God might justly have cast off them and us; but He changes not. It is valid for me, and is intended for my use. David Guzik commentary on Malachi 3 introduces the two messengers, John and Jesus, and where God asks for repentance of Israel. It was only that he was a physical necessity until Messiah should be born. What else do Satan and his hosts so earnestly desire? All, when experimentally and practically considered, are engaged in producing piety and devotion in the human soul. "Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable". This is God’s proper and incommunicable name. Joseph Benson's Commentary. His covenant, like Himself, is eternal. God foresees from the eternity past all the transactions of the eternity to come. This introduceth the final and full confirmation of what hath been foretold in the verses before, the God of judgment will come, &c. I change not: as he loved righteousness, and hath purposed to defend and reward it, yea, hath promised it shall be well with the righteous, so he now loveth righteousness, and purposeth to deal well with them that love and practise it; these may rejoice, I change not. How exquisite must be the folly of casting ourselves, not on the favour of Him who can give steady and lasting happiness, but on the wretched friendship of things that perish in the using! Fear of Him who is the unchangeable Majesty is more suitable for us whilst we are here, than to rejoice and be glad. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tbi/malachi-3.html. The Holy Spirit, by the prophet, is here recalling the Jewish nation to a recollection of their transgressions, and particularly with regard to God’s own ordinances. Nothing occurs in this earth which is not the transcript of that chart. Malachi 3:6. BibliographyNicoll, William R. "Commentary on Malachi 3:6". “the sons of Jacob,” who are they? (See full comments on this amazing truth in my commentary on Romans, pp. &c. Have I not protected the posterity of Jacob? Whatever it is, we call it His essence, and that essence never changes. By the Prophet Isaiah he expresses a holy jealousy, lest his dispensations should be misconstrued as violations of his word: and declares, that whatever come to pass in the course of his providence, he will never break his covenant with his people, nor suffer his kindness to depart from them [Note: Isaiah 54:8-10.]. The people of Malachi's day had let down; their attitude was ho-hum, and they did not realize it. There can be no fickleness, no uncertainty, with Him. All the evils sinners feel and fear, are the just recompence of their crimes, while all their hopes and comforts are from the unmerited mercy of the Lord. (W. Osborne Lilley.). His purpose to bless all men in Christ, like a thread of gold, runs through the ages. It should seem so indeed by this text; for, even while he is threatening, and ratifying what he had threatened, his heart is turned within him, his repentings are kindled together, Hosea 11:8. He does not change, and that is why they would not be consumed totally. "Commentary on Malachi 3:6". Because we have to do with an unchanging love, with a faithfulness that never departs from its word, with a purpose of blessing that will not be turned aside. Malachi 3:8-10. BibliographyClarke, Adam. Our spiritual nature is subject to changes arising from the advancement in knowledge. Changeableness is the note of all things here below: but He takes here to Himself a more excellent name, and who can doubt that which He hath spoken? When the leaves drop we can see the rock on which the trees grow; and when changes strip the world for us of some of its waving beauty and leafy shade, we may discern more clearly the firm foundation on which our hopes rest. 1 John. The little adjustment knob serves to vary the register, and if that becomes too much bother, I just lean a certain way. Much joy and satisfaction, for the heirs of God have strong consolation. Alexander.). His designs are the outcome of His wisdom and love; He feels deeply the condition of His creatures, making them conscious of His favour according to their obedience to His laws, and all His actions are free. It is an immutable and irresistible way to keep life in the exercise of faith. What Jehovah is in Himself. 2. That, they are not; nor have they ever been so since the days of the Minor Prophets. Since God changes not, the life of our spirits is not at the mercy of changing events. 1909-1922. No changeableness then dissipates them, because their thought ever perseveres, free from unlikeness to itself. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/malachi-3.html. ].” In the day of judgment every believer will be constrained to confess, that, “of all the good things which God had spoken concerning him, not one has failed [Note: Joshua 23:14.].”]. God might justly have cast off them and us; but He changes not. But, to speak of God’s unchangeableness, it is held forth that He is void of all variableness and corruption, and that He, in the blessed purpose of His goodwill, is void of any shadow of changeableness; He is unchangeable in His essence, in respect of this, that He is void of, and cannot be subject to, corruption. The reason assigned. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Nor is this a merely speculative truth, but one in which our welfare is deeply involved. 1685. "Thou Alone, O Lord, Art what Thou Art, and Thou Art Who Art. "For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore, ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.". ].” If therefore any impenitent or unregenerate man be saved, God must falsify his word. “Therefore,” etc. "Commentary on Malachi 3:6". 6 “For t I the Lord do not change; u therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. This therefore they now imitate, striving with effort, which hereafter they shall with joy receive as a gift.” To which unchangeableness the prophet had bound himself by the power of love, when he said Psalm 27:4, “One thing I required of the Lord, which I will require, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord.” To this unity Paul clave intently, when he said, Philemon 3:13-14: “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and stretching forth to those things which are before, I press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”. ii., p. 461; vol. ; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. 5. For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:12 And all nations ... Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. For in the contemplation of the Creator, they will receive this, that they should ever enjoy one stability of mind. The other statements, that He changes, refer to His changing from one course of action to another. Nor is there any principle within him that can operate to produce a change; because a contrariety of principle would argue imperfection, and consequently be a denial of his Godhead. There is something so awful--so unlike ourselves--in the idea of a Being placed far above all chance and change and infirmity, that we should be terrified by the thought if we were not told that the mercy of this great Being was as constant and enduring as His wisdom, His righteousness, and His power. "Commentary on Malachi 3:6". The Bible does not think it worth while to proclaim the Name of God without building on the proclamation promises or commandments. The New Testament has now been written nearly eighteen hundred years; and some parts of the Old Testament three thousand. "There is only one simple Good, and, therefore, One Alone Unchangeable, which is God.". God was not changed, because he was Jehovah; and they were not consumed, because they were the house of Jacob, a people in covenant with God. By Elohim, say they, is signified Middah din, a quality or property of judgment. Commentaries on Malachi. Some consider the passage as having regard to the literal Jacob, the literal restoration and conversion of the Jews. The immutability of God is not only revealed in the Bible, but is discoverable by reason. 3. The scriptural revelations of the divine Name are always the basis of intensely practical admonition. If God will heal for his name’s sake (and so come in with his non obstante, as he doth, Psalms 106:8), what people is there whom he may not heal? Commentary on Malachi 1:1-5 (Read Malachi 1:1-5) All advantages, either as to outward circumstances, or spiritual privileges, come from the free love of God, who makes one to differ from another. The more we think upon God the more shall we be constrained to exclaim, “How incomprehensible art Thou!” True religion and pure and spiritual enjoyment do not proceed from the knowledge of some of God’s attributes only, nor from a merely speculative knowledge of all. Intellectual beings, myriads of ages before this race peopled the earth, found His reign the same as we do now. Consider, then--. Malachi 3:6–12 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. He is unchangeable in His being, in His perfections, in His faithfulness, in His justice, in His holiness, in His love. And ye sons of Jacob are not consumed - Man would often have become weary of man's wickedness and waywardness. If the sentence be passed, if the decree be come forth, none can avert or avoid it, Zephaniah 3:3. This is true of the Church now. Did I spare Sennacherib? Christ is the guide who never leaves the traveller; feeling is the torch sometimes burning brightly, but very liable to be blown out. Whilst, however, these witnesses stand before us, to teach us that God is faithful, let us remember that the God who is thus faithful in His promises and in His threatenings has been pleased also in His Word to give poor souls this blessed testimony--that the seed of Jacob shall never seek His face in vain. Why are we? ].” Now this consideration God has endeavoured strongly to impress upon our minds, (he has even confirmed his promises with an oath,) on purpose that we may derive strong consolation from it [Note: Hebrews 6:17-18.]. In the words before us there is vast consolation. I am the Lord, I change not - The new dispensation of grace and goodness, which is now about to be introduced, is not the effect of any change in my counsels; it is, on the contrary, the fulfillment of my everlasting purposes; as is also the throwing aside of the Mosaic ritual, which was only intended to introduce the great and glorious Gospel of my Son. But Jesus is, and ever has been, the same with respect to the nature which he possessed before his incarnation [Note: Hebrews 1:10-12; Hebrews 13:8. His body changes: the strength of his youth is dried up; his beauty consumes away. I am the Lord — Hebrew, Jehovah; I change not — In my nature or perfections there is no change, or shadow of turning, and therefore I have and always must have an unchangeable hatred to all sin: and my long- suffering also changes not, and therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed — Are not destroyed and sent into eternal misery in your sins. But Thou Art what Thou Art. The future will have in it faults and failures, sins and shortcomings, but rise from yourself to God. But while man varies, God is the same. Concerning those perfections which flow necessarily from His essence, and depend not on His will, this is self-evident; because whatever necessarily flows from any cause or principle must likewise of necessity be as invariable as the cause or principle from which it necessarily proceeds. Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible. I. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfb/malachi-3.html. The proof that God is unchangeable. Has it ever been said that God began to build but was not able to finish? He is unchangeable in the principles of His government. All other rights reserved. ‘He fainteth not, nor is weary.’ The bush burns and is not consumed. The unchanging God as the foundation of our changeful lives. It is an excellent way to keep the grace of love growing in the Christian. Nothing can be a surprise to Him, nothing can thwart Him, and nothing can suggest an improvement in His plans. II. BibliographyWesley, John. Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed; such who were Israelites indeed, true believers in Christ; these were not consumed when the wicked Jews were, but were directed to leave the city before its destruction, and go to another place, as they did, whereby they were preserved; and so it was, that not one Christian perished in it; See Gill on Matthew 24:13 and so it is owing to the unchangeable love, grace, and power of Christ, that none of his perish internally or eternally, but have everlasting life. More than that, these are the “Israel,” and they “prevail.” But these “sons of Jacob” have all the elements of destruction in them. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use our convenient, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible. Malachi feltthat he needed to declare God’s message. The verb כלה, cale, means, in the first conjugation, to be consumed; but in Piel, to complete, or to make an end; and this sense would be very suitable; but a grammatical reason interferes, for it is in the first conjugation. Septuagint, "you depart not from the sins of your fathers. Paul revealed in Romans 11:25,26 that this continuity of the fleshly Jews will go on until 'the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled," which many understand to be the end of the world. We can all of us, perhaps, look back to occasions when, if God had been pleased suddenly to call us away, in the state in which we were living at that moment, we could only have put our hands upon our lips and confessed that the sentence was perfectly just. If they are in affliction or in distress of mind, this will be their hope and stay; they will reflect that, though outward things alter, He in whom they have laid up their chief hopes remains the same. God’s threatenings too are unalterable. How then can you say that I am indifferent about human affairs? Be it so; that will not kill us, nor leave us utterly forlorn as long as we hear the voice which says, ‘I am the Lord; I change not; therefore ye are not consumed.’, God’s purposes and promises change not, therefore our faith may rest on Him, notwithstanding our own sins and fluctuations. He is the All-Wise, and cannot have planned wrongly. II. All that he can do consistently with his own honour, he is ready and willing to do: but you cannot suppose that he will, or can, divest himself of all the properties of the Godhead, to save you in your sins. 1871-8. An argument may be found in the fact of God’s perfection. [“All the promises of God in Christ are yea, and amen [Note: 2 Corinthians 1:20. The sins that have been in our past have deserved that we should have been swept away, but we are here still. Copyright StatementThese files are public domain.Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. 1832. Some scholars are incredulous at such a statement as this. He has ever been just and merciful, and ever will be. As long as God is true, your doom is fixed. 2012. That heart is God’s--that name is Love. If you could not doubt this, then recollect that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. His perfection cannot be found out. They are spared because I am Jehovah, and they sons of Jacob; while I spare them, I will also punish them; and while I punish them, I will not wholly consume them. And remember that, if God is unchanging, you must change, for there is no hope of a reconciliation with Him who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and who will by no means clear the guilty. "God is not a man, that He should lie, or the son of man, that He should repent;" and James 1:17, "with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ", Of this unchangeableness of God, His holy ones partake, as far as they fix themselves on God. Changing pilgrims through this changing scene, fix your eyes upon the changeless. "Commentary on Malachi 3:6". Reply, that while the declarations of the designs and purposes of God, which are prophetic of the great events of providence, are in themselves absolutely fixed and unalterable; those promises and threatenings which are merely personal, either to any particular man or to any number of men, are always conditional, because the wisdom of God thought fit to make these depend on the behaviour of men; and the unchangeableness characterises the conditions.