WHAT WEARIES THE LORD?
Malachi 2:17
INTRODUCTION
Whether as children or as adults we never liked a know-it-all. They were obnoxious, boring, self-centered and too often right. We never could stand their smug I-told-you-so look. Here is a spiritual parallel: God does not enjoy it when His people are know-it-alls and “know more” than Him.
The people of Malachi’s way were spiritual outwardly. They were smugly satisfied with their works and condition. They were downright arrogant. When God, speaking through Malachi, lovingly pointed out something that needed correction they arrogantly replied, “Wherein?”
1:2
1:6
1:7
2:17
3:7
3:8
3:13
2:17
Ye have wearied the Lord with your words
1. Talk is cheap
2. Didn’t try to weary the Lord with words; Wherein have we wearied Him?
NOTE: We weary the Lord when we justify ourselves in our sins (know-it-alls)
NOTE: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Romans 2:15
1. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts
2. Their conscience also bearing witness
3. And their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or excusing one another
NOTE: Thou hast made me serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities Isaiah 43:24
THEME: WE WEARY THE LORD WHEN WE SAY:
I. THAT EVERYONE THAT DOES EVIL IS GOOD IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD
A. The Success Of Folly Ecclesiastes 10:5-7
1. Folly is set in great dignity
a. Definition of folly
1) The absence of wisdom or judgment
2) Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom Proverbs 15:21
3) Hebrew – Self – confidence or thick headedness
b. Folly is out and out evil
2. “Rich” refers to persons bred so as to qualify for positions of rule
a. Those by birth and training were qualified for positions of great responsibility found themselves abased
b. Folly set in high places (plural)
B. These Jews Did Not Believe God
1. They served God
a. They kept His ordinances
b. They walked mournfully before Him
NOTE: “God hinders my life and the joys of life”
2. They were:
a. Discontented
b. Selfish
c. Rebellious to the uttermost (in a spiritual sort of way)
3. They knew better than God
T.S. WE WEARY THE LORD WHEN WE SAY:
I. THAT EVERYONE THAT DOES EVIL IS GOOD IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD
II. THE LORD DELIGHTS IN THOSE WHO DO EVIL
A. Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness Isaiah 5:20
NOTE: TV and movie stories and stars, “Our idols”
B. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord Proverbs 17:15
NOTE: Justifying the wicked
1. TV situation comedies
a. Laughing at sinful situations
b. Laughing at sinful insinuations
2. Comic strips – immoral comedy
NOTE: Condemning God’s people and those who have rule over us and justify adultery in classic movies and four – letter words in the presence of our families
C. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; neither shall evil dwell with thee Psalm 5:4
T.S. WE WEARY THE LORD WHEN WE SAY:
I. THAT EVERYONE THAT DOES EVIL IS GOOD IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD
II. THE LORD DELIGHTS IN THOSE WHO DO EVIL
III. WHERE IS THE GOD OF JUDGMENT?
A. They Complained When God Didn’t Punish The Wicked When And Like They Think He Should
B. Yet By Asking God To Bring Justice Or Judgment (Same Hebrew Word) They Were Also Bringing It Upon Themselves
1. They were not ready
a. Every man’s work shall be made manifest I Corinthians 3:13
b. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14
2. They quarreled with God’s time table
a. They began to deny the coming of the Lord to judge the world
b. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts. And saying, where is the promise of His coming?
For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
II Peter 3:3-4
C. Their Complaint Was Grounded Upon Visible And Obvious Facts:
1. Prosperity of wicked
2. Happiness of the proud
3. Abundance of the prayerless
NOTE: They prefaced everything with outward appearances
D. They Were Upset Because The Righteous Seemed To Be Getting The Short End Of The Deal
C. What Can Be The Answer?
1. Stop a man building a house
a. Roof and sides not on
b. Is this fit for man?
2. We give the building time; can we do no less for God?
a. We look at God’s world and see graves, agony, misery, disappointment, and tragedy
b. God, what are you doing?
3. It may seem God works slowly but He works thoroughly and deliberately
NOTE: The child’s agony of waiting for Christmas
CONCLUSION
WE WEARY THE LORD WHEN WE SAY:
I. THAT EVERYONE THAT DOES EVIL
IS GOOD IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD
II. THE LORD DELIGHTS IN THOSE WHO DO EVIL
III. WHERE IS THE GOD OF JUDGMENT?
Sermons And Lessons From The Old Testament 