1. Malachi 2:17 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does Malachi say about the Lord’s patience when he says, “You have wearied the LORD”?

Malachi 2:17 (ESV)

17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”

While the Lord God is “long-suffering” and “slow to anger” (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 103:8), there is a limit to his patience, and a time comes when his anger is kindled against sin (Deuteronomy 6:15; Psalm 76:7, Nahum 1:6). God’s patience gives sinners the opportunity to repent (2 Peter 3:9), but those who abuse God’s patience by continuing to live in sin will store up for themselves great wrath on the day when God’s judgment is revealed (Romans 2:4–5).