Jesus once lamented the fact that the Jewish leaders could so clearly see the speck in the eyes of others but could not see the log in their own eye (Luke 6:41). Similarly in Malachi’s day, the Jews were able to see the sins of the heathen neighbours, but they were unable to see their own sins. Filled with a sense of self-righteousness, they longed for God to execute justice on others, without realizing that God’s judgment would begin with themselves (see 1 Peter 4:17).
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?”