Moorhead Airport Seeks Architectural and Engineering Design Services

City of Moorhead Menu Property Services Expand sub pages Property Services Animal Services Neighborhoods Building and Home Improvement Code Enforcement Floodplain Information Housing Invasive Species and Pests Lawns, Yards and Garden Maps My Property Property Valuation and Classification Report an Issue Resident Guide and Newsletters Trash and Recycling Utilities Wastewater and Stormwater Parks & Rec Expand sub pages Parks & Rec Art in Moorhead ATV Permits Register for a Program Environment and Sustainability Events Facilities and Rentals Get Involved Golf Hjemkomst Center League Schedules and Standings The Loop | Moorhead Public Library Parks and Trails Pools Recreational Programs Seniors Services Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities Youth Scholarships Winter Activities Donate to the Community Fund Emergency Services Expand sub pages Emergency Services Emergency Alerts Fire Flood Safety Police Records Requests Recreational Fires Report a Crime Streets & Transit Expand sub pages Streets & Transit Airport Construction Projects Overweight and Over Dimension Restriction Permits Parking Pavement Management Program Report an Issue Road and Stormwater Permits Snow Removal Street and Traffic Controls Street Maintenance Transit Business & Development Expand sub pages Business & Development Advertising Opportunities Airport Available Land and Property Bids and Procurement Building and Home Improvement Business Licenses and Permits Call Before You Dig Construction Projects Downtown Moorhead Drainage Plan Review Interactive GIS Maps Liquor Server Training Planning and Zoning Rental Housing Spark Center for Entrepreneurship Start, Expand or Relocate a Business Stormwater Permits Utilities Studies and Reports Why Moorhead Government Expand sub pages Government Agendas and Minutes Awards and Recognition Bids and Procurement Boards and Commissions Budget and Finance Charter and City Code Citizens Government Academy City Administration Contact Us Elections Mayor and Council Members Job Opportunities Logo and Branding News and Notices Plans, Reports and Studies Policies Projects Public Data Request State Legislative Priorities Donate to the Community Fund How Do I... Expand Search Notice for Request for Qualifications for Professional Airport Architectural and Engineering Design Services - Moorhead Airport - Florence Klingensmith Field By City of Moorhead - June 05, 2026 RFP - Planning RFP - Professional Services Community Development Department: Community Development The City of Moorhead, Minnesota (the "City") seeks a request for qualifications for professional on-call airport architectural and engineering services for Moorhead Municipal Airport - Florence Klingensmith Field. Please review the Request for Proposal document for information. The timeline for this project is: Moorhead City Hall403 Center AveMoorhead, MN 56561-0779 SitemapPrivacy PolicyContact UsAccessibility NewsEventsProjectsMN Statute 471.701 Salary Data This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.

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City to Flush Water Mains & Fire Hydrants

Published May 1, 2026

Road Closure Alert: 5 St and Main Closed Wednesday, June 10

City of Moorhead Menu Property Services Expand sub pages Property Services Animal Services Neighborhoods Building and Home Improvement Code Enforcement Floodplain Information Housing Invasive Species and Pests Lawns, Yards and Garden Maps My Property Property Valuation and Classification Report an Issue Resident Guide and Newsletters Trash and Recycling Utilities Wastewater and Stormwater Parks & Rec Expand sub pages Parks & Rec Art in Moorhead ATV Permits Register for a Program Environment and Sustainability Events Facilities and Rentals Get Involved Golf Hjemkomst Center League Schedules and Standings The Loop | Moorhead Public Library Parks and Trails Pools Recreational Programs Seniors Services Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities Youth Scholarships Winter Activities Donate to the Community Fund Emergency Services Expand sub pages Emergency Services Emergency Alerts Fire Flood Safety Police Records Requests Recreational Fires Report a Crime Streets & Transit Expand sub pages Streets & Transit Airport Construction Projects Overweight and Over Dimension Restriction Permits Parking Pavement Management Program Report an Issue Road and Stormwater Permits Snow Removal Street and Traffic Controls Street Maintenance Transit Business & Development Expand sub pages Business & Development Advertising Opportunities Airport Available Land and Property Bids and Procurement Building and Home Improvement Business Licenses and Permits Call Before You Dig Construction Projects Downtown Moorhead Drainage Plan Review Interactive GIS Maps Liquor Server Training Planning and Zoning Rental Housing Spark Center for Entrepreneurship Start, Expand or Relocate a Business Stormwater Permits Utilities Studies and Reports Why Moorhead Government Expand sub pages Government Agendas and Minutes Awards and Recognition Bids and Procurement Boards and Commissions Budget and Finance Charter and City Code Citizens Government Academy City Administration Contact Us Elections Mayor and Council Members Job Opportunities Logo and Branding News and Notices Plans, Reports and Studies Policies Projects Public Data Request State Legislative Priorities Donate to the Community Fund How Do I... Expand Search Traffic Alert: Road Closure on 5 St and Main on Wednesday, June 10 By City of Moorhead - June 06, 2026 General Engineering Service Alerts News Releases On Wednesday, June 10, BNSF will be conducting maintenance on the railroad crossing at 5 St between Main Ave and 5 St. This project will not involve any concrete work and is expected to reopen at the end of the day. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible. Moorhead City Hall403 Center AveMoorhead, MN 56561-0779 SitemapPrivacy PolicyContact UsAccessibility NewsEventsProjectsMN Statute 471.701 Salary Data This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.

Moorhead City Council Meeting Scheduled for June 8, 2026

City of Moorhead Menu Property Services Expand sub pages Property Services Animal Services Neighborhoods Building and Home Improvement Code Enforcement Floodplain Information Housing Invasive Species and Pests Lawns, Yards and Garden Maps My Property Property Valuation and Classification Report an Issue Resident Guide and Newsletters Trash and Recycling Utilities Wastewater and Stormwater Parks & Rec Expand sub pages Parks & Rec Art in Moorhead ATV Permits Register for a Program Environment and Sustainability Events Facilities and Rentals Get Involved Golf Hjemkomst Center League Schedules and Standings The Loop | Moorhead Public Library Parks and Trails Pools Recreational Programs Seniors Services Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities Youth Scholarships Winter Activities Donate to the Community Fund Emergency Services Expand sub pages Emergency Services Emergency Alerts Fire Flood Safety Police Records Requests Recreational Fires Report a Crime Streets & Transit Expand sub pages Streets & Transit Airport Construction Projects Overweight and Over Dimension Restriction Permits Parking Pavement Management Program Report an Issue Road and Stormwater Permits Snow Removal Street and Traffic Controls Street Maintenance Transit Business & Development Expand sub pages Business & Development Advertising Opportunities Airport Available Land and Property Bids and Procurement Building and Home Improvement Business Licenses and Permits Call Before You Dig Construction Projects Downtown Moorhead Drainage Plan Review Interactive GIS Maps Liquor Server Training Planning and Zoning Rental Housing Spark Center for Entrepreneurship Start, Expand or Relocate a Business Stormwater Permits Utilities Studies and Reports Why Moorhead Government Expand sub pages Government Agendas and Minutes Awards and Recognition Bids and Procurement Boards and Commissions Budget and Finance Charter and City Code Citizens Government Academy City Administration Contact Us Elections Mayor and Council Members Job Opportunities Logo and Branding News and Notices Plans, Reports and Studies Policies Projects Public Data Request State Legislative Priorities Donate to the Community Fund How Do I... Expand Search City Council Meeting - June 8, 2026 By City of Moorhead - June 04, 2026 General City Events The agenda packet is now available. City Council meetings will be live-streamed on our Youtube channel and on Moorhead Community Access Media (MCAM).  To participate and/or make a public comment in person, you must fill out a Request to Speak form, contact the City Clerk's Office, or call 218.299.5304 no later than noon the day of the meeting.  Please contact the City of Moorhead, City Clerk’s office (218.299.5304) if auxiliary aids or services are required (ten hours’ notice is required). Please note that some participants may be joining via interactive technology. Moorhead City Hall403 Center AveMoorhead, MN 56561-0779 SitemapPrivacy PolicyContact UsAccessibility NewsEventsProjectsMN Statute 471.701 Salary Data This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.

Moorhead Municipal Pool and New Splash Pad Open June 4

City of Moorhead Menu Property Services Expand sub pages Property Services Animal Services Neighborhoods Building and Home Improvement Code Enforcement Floodplain Information Housing Invasive Species and Pests Lawns, Yards and Garden Maps My Property Property Valuation and Classification Report an Issue Resident Guide and Newsletters Trash and Recycling Utilities Wastewater and Stormwater Parks & Rec Expand sub pages Parks & Rec Art in Moorhead ATV Permits Register for a Program Environment and Sustainability Events Facilities and Rentals Get Involved Golf Hjemkomst Center League Schedules and Standings The Loop | Moorhead Public Library Parks and Trails Pools Recreational Programs Seniors Services Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities Youth Scholarships Winter Activities Donate to the Community Fund Emergency Services Expand sub pages Emergency Services Emergency Alerts Fire Flood Safety Police Records Requests Recreational Fires Report a Crime Streets & Transit Expand sub pages Streets & Transit Airport Construction Projects Overweight and Over Dimension Restriction Permits Parking Pavement Management Program Report an Issue Road and Stormwater Permits Snow Removal Street and Traffic Controls Street Maintenance Transit Business & Development Expand sub pages Business & Development Advertising Opportunities Airport Available Land and Property Bids and Procurement Building and Home Improvement Business Licenses and Permits Call Before You Dig Construction Projects Downtown Moorhead Drainage Plan Review Interactive GIS Maps Liquor Server Training Planning and Zoning Rental Housing Spark Center for Entrepreneurship Start, Expand or Relocate a Business Stormwater Permits Utilities Studies and Reports Why Moorhead Government Expand sub pages Government Agendas and Minutes Awards and Recognition Bids and Procurement Boards and Commissions Budget and Finance Charter and City Code Citizens Government Academy City Administration Contact Us Elections Mayor and Council Members Job Opportunities Logo and Branding News and Notices Plans, Reports and Studies Policies Projects Public Data Request State Legislative Priorities Donate to the Community Fund How Do I... Expand Search Moorhead Municipal Pool & New Splash Pad Open Today, June 4! By City of Moorhead - June 04, 2026 General City Events City News News Releases Parks and Recreation The City of Moorhead is excited to announce that the Moorhead Municipal Pool, including a brand-new splash pad, opens for the season today, Thursday, June 4, at 12:30 pm! As part of the Reimagine Romkey improvements, visitors will enjoy new amenities throughout the pool designed to create a more welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable experience for all ages. From expanded recreation features to added comfort and convenience, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In partnership with Essentia Health, free towels will be available for swimmers while supplies last. Our updated aquatics facility includes a lap pool with slides, a climbing wall, and a diving board, a zero-depth wading pool, a party rental room, and a new splash pad located outside the pool fence, free for public use. A few reminders for a safe and fun visit: Pool hours are 12:30 – 4:30 pm and 6:30 – 8:30 pm. We hope to see you at the pool! Moorhead City Hall403 Center AveMoorhead, MN 56561-0779 SitemapPrivacy PolicyContact UsAccessibility NewsEventsProjectsMN Statute 471.701 Salary Data This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.

City Council Meeting - May 11, 2026

May 4–10 and May 11–15 and Oakport May 19, the City will collect furniture, household items, and appliances from single‑family homes on your regular garbage day starting at 5 am. Your Cleanup Day is your garbage day on the week you do NOT have recycling. Visit our Clean Up Days Page to Learn More. City of Moorhead Menu Property Services Expand sub pages Property Services Animal Services Neighborhoods Building and Home Improvement Code Enforcement Floodplain Information Housing Invasive Species and Pests Lawns, Yards and Garden Maps My Property Property Valuation and Classification Report an Issue Resident Guide and Newsletters Trash and Recycling Utilities Wastewater and Stormwater Parks & Rec Expand sub pages Parks & Rec Art in Moorhead ATV Permits Register for a Program Environment and Sustainability Events Facilities and Rentals Get Involved Golf Hjemkomst Center League Schedules and Standings The Loop | Moorhead Public Library Parks and Trails Pools Recreational Programs Seniors Services Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities Youth Scholarships Winter Activities Donate to the Community Fund Emergency Services Expand sub pages Emergency Services Emergency Alerts Fire Flood Safety Police Records Requests Recreational Fires Report a Crime Streets & Transit Expand sub pages Streets & Transit Airport Construction Projects Overweight and Over Dimension Restriction Permits Parking Pavement Management Program Report an Issue Road and Stormwater Permits Snow Removal Street and Traffic Controls Street Maintenance Transit Business & Development Expand sub pages Business & Development Advertising Opportunities Airport Available Land and Property Bids and Procurement Building and Home Improvement Business Licenses and Permits Call Before You Dig Construction Projects Downtown Moorhead Drainage Plan Review Interactive GIS Maps Liquor Server Training Planning and Zoning Rental Housing Spark Center for Entrepreneurship Start, Expand or Relocate a Business Stormwater Permits Utilities Studies and Reports Why Moorhead Government Expand sub pages Government Agendas and Minutes Awards and Recognition Bids and Procurement Boards and Commissions Budget and Finance Charter and City Code Citizens Government Academy City Administration Contact Us Elections Mayor and Council Members Job Opportunities Logo and Branding News and Notices Plans, Reports and Studies Policies Projects Public Data Request State Legislative Priorities Donate to the Community Fund How Do I... Expand Search City Council Meeting - May 11, 2026 By City of Moorhead - May 07, 2026 General City Events The agenda packet is now available. City Council meetings will be live-streamed on our Youtube channel and on Moorhead Community Access Media (MCAM).  To participate and/or make a public comment in person, you must fill out a Request to Speak form, contact the City Clerk's Office, or call 218.299.5304 no later than noon the day of the meeting.  Please contact the City of Moorhead, City Clerk’s office (218.299.5304) if auxiliary aids or services are required (ten hours’ notice is required). Please note that some participants may be joining via interactive technology. Moorhead City Hall403 Center AveMoorhead, MN 56561-0779 SitemapPrivacy PolicyContact UsAccessibility NewsEventsProjectsMN Statute 471.701 Salary Data This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.

Telephone Assistance Programs Available to Residents

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Moorhead Police to Participate in Drug Take Back Day

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Moorhead Police to Participate in Drug Take Back Day

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Brookdale Baptist Church Sermon: Woe to the Proud

Habakkuk 2:5-20Nimrod, Jezebel, Nebuchadnezzar, and Herod. Genghis Khan, Cleopatra, Louis XIV, and Nero. Adolf Hitler, Bernie Madoff, Harvey Weinstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell. What do all these people have in common? Some of them were government leaders while others were not, but they all exhibited a flagrant, obvious arrogance seen by how they abused and took advantage of other people for selfish reasons.While we don’t normally encounter or live directly under the power of well-known public villains like these, you’ve probably had experiences with similar people in a more personal, less public way. The school bully, abusive spouse, manipulative relative, controlling boss or supervisor, sarcastic, name-calling coworker, intimidating landlord or businessperson, unjust judge, and so on.Like Habakkuk, we easily wonder how God can permit self-centered people like this to enter our lives and prosper in the world. In Hab 1:1–2:4, we learn that God’s plan is bigger and better than we can comprehend. So, rather than try to figure out what God is doing and why he is doing it that way, we should live by faith. Since he is eternal, faithful, all-powerful, holy, and unchangeable, we should wait patiently for him, trusting completely in him from beginning to end, no matter what arrogant, ungodly people may do in our lives.But even when are trusting fulling in our faithful God, it helps to know what God thinks about arrogant people. In 2:5-20, he gives us his divine perspective on arrogant, ungodly people. He warns them of serious judgment and destruction, describing five behavioral traits and patterns of these kinds of people. Then he calls all people, whether abusers or abused, oppressors or oppressed, to turn from their idols to him in reverent worship.Knowing what God thinks about arrogant people and will do to arrogant people is helpful for us in two ways. This knowledge helps us deepen our trust in him when arrogant people are causing us difficulty and pain. But it also helps us identify any arrogance in our own hearts so we can turn from it to trust in God with greater honesty and humility.In summary, from this part of Habakkuk’s message, we see that proud people think too highly of themselves and too little of others. They reveal their arrogance by treating other people poorly in order to benefit themselves. And they do this because they do not trust in God. From this we see that arrogance grows where trust in God is missing, and it always shows in how we treat other people. Pride mistreats others because it refuses to trust God. When we stop trusting God, we start using people.God warns of judgment for arrogant people.At this point in the book, Habakkuk has asked God two questions. First, why did it seem God was overlooking the corruption and injustice of his neighbors and fellow citizens in Judah. Second, why would he use an arguably more wicked nation like Babylon to judge Judah for their sins?But now Habakkuk is done asking questions and makes a confident, dogmatic statement, instead – that God will judge every arrogant person severely. By severely, I don’t mean God will punish them in an excessively harsh, rash, and reactive way but that he will judge them in a decisive and just way that matches the severity of their sin. Pride will not go unpunished, even if it seems to roam free without consequence now today.In Hab 2:5-20, a key word appears 5 times, the word “woe.” This word appears 53 times in the OT. Seventy-seven percent (more than three quarters) of the time it means a “cry of doom” (Kenneth Barker) and announces deeply frightening, horrifying circumstances that will happen due to a person’s persistent, unrepentant sin.These painful consequences are normally announced in a graphic, intense, and public way. This is intentional to encourage stubborn, unpersuadable people to repent, letting them know in clear terms that if they refuse to repent, their only possible and certain future is death, judgment, and destruction. These “woes” do not describe a mere wish for proud people to be punished but rather a statement of certain judgment that will definitely occur.Habakkuk introduces here a series of not just one or two woes but five. And he previews what he is about to say in a brief phrase in 2:4, then a long verse in 2:5. In this preview, we see that God is calling out the sin of arrogance and pride. He describes it as a restless, greedy desire that cannot be satisfied; it abuses and exploits all kinds of people for selfish reasons. He compares the appetite of pride to death and the grave, which continues to seize more people every day yet is never filled.When pride is a dominant desire in a person’s heart, they behave like a drunken person – inconsiderate of others and overconfident in themselves. Such people are difficult and frightening people to be around today because their behavior is so harmful to others. But in the end, the very people whom they bullied will be witnesses against them at the future judgment of God. They will then be able to taunt the arrogant people who tortured them.The five woes of Habakkuk against proud people are offered this way – as mocking taunts, songs which essentially make fun of the bullies. In the traditional folk tale, The Three Little Pigs, as animated by Disney, the pigs mock the big bad wolf with a song: “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf? Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Tra-la-la-la-lah-la-la-lah?” They do this as he hunts them, blows their houses down, to terrorize and eat them.Here in Habakkuk 2:5-20, God gives this kind of song with five verses. While it’s primarily directed not at the big bad wolf, but at the Babylonian kings and armies which would soon invade and terrorize Judah, it’s vague enough that it could also be sung about any arrogant people today or in history. In summary, though, Hab 2 teaches us those who trust in God will live, but those who are proud and refuse to trust in him will be destroyed.Let’s look at the five verses of this mocking song against arrogant people and see five ways a proud and arrogant heart reveals itself through a person’s behavior. From these five behaviors, we see that proud people think too highly of themselves and too little of others. They reveal their arrogance by treating other people poorly to benefit themselves. And they do this because they don’t trust in God. Arrogance grows where trust in God is missing. Pride mistreats others because it refuses to trust God.Woe to anyone who takes advantage of other people.2:6-8 says arrogance and pride often reveals itself through the kind of behavior that takes advantage of other people. We call this exploiting, extorting, manipulating, or victimizing. God mentions a specific way of doing this here that involved increasing personal resources and wealth through a practice called “taking pledges,” or as Habakkuk says, “loading up many pledges.”In the ancient world, “taking pledges” referred to seizing collateral from a person who owed a debt. In the case of the Babylonians (or any other arrogant people who take advantage of others), this often involved taking basic items which are essential to life, like clothing, food, house, or livestock. These pledges were supposed to function as temporary guarantee, not a permanent confiscation, and God’s law placed strict limits on how and when pledges could be taken.The problem in this case was that the Babylonians would use debt as a weapon. They stripped already vulnerable, weakened people of what little they had left, forcing them into ongoing debt and keeping what was necessary for daily survival and dignity as mandatory collateral. This wasn’t a neutral business practice; it was predatory exploitation designed to keep people beholden or dependent on them. It revealed an arrogant heart that treated human beings like milk cows, squeezing all the milk they could from them with no regard for their personal dignity, health, or survival or the survival of their young calves.In this verse, we see that Babylon would set off a domino train of events which would not end until they had at last been taken advantage of by others, just as they were taking advantage of other nations and people. As Paul says in Gal 6:7, “You reap what you sow.”The emphasis here on “suddenly” reflects the poetic justice in God’s justice and plans. Babylon would rise to power quickly and but they would fall from power quickly, too. Babylon was the world superpower from approx. 612 BC to 538 BC, so only abt. 75 years, or one person’s lifetime. Compared to Assyria before them (abt. 300 yrs., or 4 lifetimes) and Persia after them (abt. 200 yrs., or 2.5 lifetimes), they would be a short-lived empire. (The United States is currently at somewhere between Assyria and Persia in age, btw.)Anyway, this is what arrogant people do. They see people not as neighbors to love and serve but as assets to be used and abused. They use whatever advantage, position, or power they have to enrich themselves by draining others, showing little concern for the dignity, wellbeing, or survival of the people that they hurt.Woe to anyone who indulges himself at others’ expense.2:9-11 expands on the first verse of this taunting song by calling out how arrogant people not only take advantage of other people as a matter of business, but they do it to enrich and indulge themselves. They take the material gains they accumulate by extortion to make their own lives bigger and better than before.The phrase “covets evil gain” here is interesting. In Hebrew, it is “cuts off an evil cut.” It describes how a tailor may cut some fabric for a customer but cuts it shorter than requested while charging a higher price so he could cheat the customer and end up with more money and more fabric for himself.This phrase is used broadly to describe raising your profit margin and inventory by cheating and swindling people. Here it refers to how Babylon – esp. it’s rulers and leaders – would embellish and enlarge not only their empire and kingdom but also their individual, private houses and dwellings to be more impressive and safe for themselves.They would be like a bald eagle building its nest far above other birds by stealing twigs and sticks from the nests of those birds less powerful than themselves. This taunt speaks of giving “shameful counsel to their house,” “cutting off many peoples,” and “sinning against your own soul.” While the Babylonians (or arrogant people) thought they were building strong, fortified houses and buildings by cutting up lumber and stones they had claimed from the people they conquered and their tortured labors, it was actually their own homes and families’ futures which were being cut off.The taunt claims that even the stone and wood they used to build their houses would cry out as witnesses against them. In other words, even if they destroyed every single enemy, their own grand houses and buildings would be permanent witnesses and reminders of the people they abused and took advantage of to build them.So, arrogant people take advantage of other people and indulge themselves at others’ expense. They also …Woe to anyone who advances himself through violence and crime.2:12-14 speaks of building towns and cities through violence (“bloodshed”) and crime (“iniquity”). “Through violence” refers to cities built through the efforts and labors of people who are poorly treated and die to achieve the goal. The word “iniquity” (“crime”) refers to social, property, and commercial sins – seizing private property, shaming people unjustly, using underhanded business policies and financial practices to get what they want, even threatening people through mafia-style tactics. They built their towns and cities on the blood, sweat, and tears of bullied and enslaved people.Those who build houses and projects on the backs of bloodshed and through crime and violence only labor in the end, only do so as an elaborate preparation for the massive bonfire of God’s judgment. What seems to be an impressive building project and scheme is nothing more, in God’s eternal sight, as a simply gathering kindling wood for the fires of divine destruction. All the grandiose building projects of the world which occur through unjust, violent, and corrupt means – whether large-scale government building projects or else the building projects of wealthy and corrupt financiers – are ultimately “in vain” (or useless and wasted).“The Lord of Hosts” emphasizes God as the supreme commander of all forces in existence, seen and unseen. “Hosts” refers not only to earthly armies but to the vast angelic forces and even the stars themselves, all of which serve at God’s command.A clear and dramatic illustration of this appears in 2 Kings 6, when Elisha’s servant feared the large enemy army surrounding them, and God opened his eyes to see the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire, with the countless unseen angelic armies of the Lord standing ready to act on behalf of his people.Throughout the OT, this title reminds God’s people that no empire, nation, or ruler acts outside of God’s authority. When Habakkuk speaks of the Lord of Hosts, he is declaring that the God who sees arrogant oppression also commands unlimited power to judge it decisively. The bullies, enemies, and oppressive people which seem overwhelming to us are surrounded by forces far greater than any human power on our behalf.Here, Habakkuk points out that the purpose of God’s judgment and punishment would be not only to punish arrogant people but to ensure that the whole world would know the Lord in a real, personal, unmistakable way, either as Savior or Judge.The entire story of the Exodus, for instance, centered on the fact that Pharaoh did not know God (Exod 5:2), but God wanted to introduce himself to Israel (Exod 6:6) and to Pharaoh and the Egyptians (Exod 7:5) (Kenneth Barker).A clear knowledge of the greatness and justice of God will be so universal it will be as common and obvious as the lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans that cover the world. The arrogance of corrupt and unjust people, along with all their grand but unjust accomplishments and projects, will be burned and washed away and will be nothing more than a means for all people to be introduced to the power and judgment of God.Proud people take advantage of other people, they do so to indulge themselves, and they do so through violence and crime. But there is a fourth way that arrogance reveals itself.Woe to anyone who abuses and shames other people for pleasure.The fourth verse of this taunt song, 2:15-17, emphasizes drunkenness and abuse as behaviors of arrogant people. This is especially appropriate because the OT shows that Babylon was a nation known for its wild drinking parties (Dan 5). Somehow or another, they also forced the people they conquered to join them in drunkenness. When they were drunk, they mocked and abused them in shameful ways as they did the sort of things that drunk people do (see v. 15).Ironically, God announced that they would have the same thing happen to them in the end. Since they had intoxicated others and shamed them, then would be intoxicated and shamed themselves in the end.In Scripture, a cup of wine, held out and poured out by a king, represented judgment, and the right hand represented power. 2:16 says this would happen to Babylon and arrogant people like them.Babylon had destroyed the forests of Lebanon and deprived animals in those dense, lush woodlands of their natural habitat. What had once been a lush forest of majestic cedars and thriving wildlife had been exploited and mismanaged to build corrupt opulent building projects. Worse yet, they had done the same thing to the cities and people in them, too – not just the forests and the animals. So, here we see that arrogant people not only abuse other people, but they abuse and mismanage God’s creation – both plant and animal life – for their own selfish purposes, too. God judges this behavior, too.For this reason, God said they would be drunk and exposed to the world. And this is exactly what happened. At the end of their brief, 75-year existence as an empire, the Syria army sprung a surprise attack on their capital city. Ironically, they attacked and overthrew the city while King Belshazzar and all his government officials were participating in a drunken party. That night, the Syrian empire killed him and brought the Babylonian empire to a sudden end.So, proud people take advantage of other people, they do so to indulge themselves, they abuse and shame other people for their pleasure, and they do so through violence and crime. But there is a fifth and final way that arrogance reveals itself – they trust in idols.Woe to anyone who trusts in idols.In this fifth and final woe, God places the ‘woe’ in the middle of the taunt rather than the beginning. Doing this “jumps right into” the topic and shows a special sense of urgency and seriousness about this particular sin. He has already introduced this problem earlier, too, in Hab 1:11, when God pointed out how the Babylonians would worship their nets for the fish that they caught and the people they conquered.But here, God points out the emptiness, futility, and uselessness of trusting in idols – or manmade things. If a human being makes something, they are automatically superior to that thing, whether an idol or anything else (like a fishing net, etc.). So, to worship an idol or manmade thing is ridiculous. It is no more than a block of wood overlayed with a mineral like gold or silver. It cannot talk, it cannot breath – it has no life or existence at all. So, the woe here – the doom and destruction to speak of – is in the idol itself. It is nothing, does nothing, and will be good for nothing in the end when God’s judgment comes.As human beings, we are trusting beings. We are created by God to trust in him. But we choose, for sinful reasons, to trust in all sorts of other wrong things. We trust in riches (Job 31:24; Prov 11:28), important people (Ps 146:3; cf. Jer 17:5-8), military fortifications (Dt 28:52; Jer 5:17), beauty (Ezk 16:15), and personal abilities (Prov 3:5; 28:26). We even trust in evil (Isa 30:12).But as Paul says in Rom 1:25, when we trust in created things rather than the God who created everything, we trade the truth for a lie.Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.And it is for this reason, that arrogant people who refuse to turn to and trust in God must resort to all the abusive, dishonest, and even violent means God mentions here in Hab 2:5-20, because people who trust in idols get no help, from the idols or from God.So, we see that proud people think too highly of themselves and too little of others. They reveal their arrogance by treating other people poorly in order to benefit themselves. And they do this because they do not trust in God. From this we see that arrogance grows where trust in God is missing, and it always shows in how we treat other people. Pride mistreats others because it refuses to trust God. When we stop trusting God, we start using people.God calls for reverent worship from all people.Habakkuk closes this five-part series of warnings of coming doom and destruction on arrogant people with a surprising shift in tone and focus. After exposing the arrogance, cruelty, and idolatry of proud people, God gives a universal command not only to Babylon, but also to Judah and to all people everywhere to respond to God with reverent worship.When he says, “keep silence,” he is calling not only for verbal quietness but for an inner heart attitude of humble submission before God. After all the loud and grandiose activity and bluster of arrogant people, God now calls every voice to fall silent in his presence.The Hebrew word hasah translated “be silent,” literally means to “hush.” It is the same word used in other serious calls to show reverent respect before God (Zeph 1:7; Zech 2:13). It describes proper response of finite, sinful beings like us before the infinite, holy creator God. It should be an awe-filled stillness.Ironically, in the previous verses, idols themselves are silent, not because of reverence, but because they are lifeless. They cannot speak, act, rescue, or save. In Hab 2:19, idol worshippers cry out to blocks of wood and stone, commanding them to wake up and do things, but nothing happens.Here in v.20, the contrast is obvious. God calls arrogant, proud people to be silent, not because he is powerless, but because he is fully alive and reigning. We are to become silent like idols, not because God is mute, but because we no longer need to speak, shout, scheme, or manipulate when we have God. We can quietly trust him instead of engage in clamorous, loud, raucous chanting, yelling, and so on as when worshiping idols.The reason all the earth must fall silent is that “the LORD is in his holy temple.” This does not only refer to the Temple building in Jerusalem, but to God’s heavenly throne room, of which the earthly temple was only a small copy. As Psa 11:4 declares, “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven.”Habakkuk draws our attention away from dumb, man-made idols to the self-existent, eternal, holy, sovereign God who rules the universe. This God was eternal before creation (1:12), remains unchanging through history (3:6), and is altogether holy in his character and actions (1:12; 3:3). From this heavenly temple, he reigns over every nation, empire, and person.Because the Lord alone is living, eternal, and sovereign, the appropriate response is universal and unavoidable: “let all the earth keep silence before him.”No nation is exempt. No person can tell him what to do or manipulate him. He is sovereign over all things, and no idol can rival him. God will be exalted among the nations and in all the earth—just as Psalm 46:10 proclaims:Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!So, we see that proud people think too highly of themselves and too little of others. They reveal their arrogance by treating other people poorly in order to benefit themselves. And they do this because they do not trust in God. From this we see that arrogance grows where trust in God is missing, and it always shows in how we treat other people. Pride mistreats others because it refuses to trust God. When we stop trusting God, we start using people.As we close, this passage can turn the spotlight onto our own hearts. The five woes are not just a description of “other people out there.” They are a mirror that can reveal subtle (or not so subtle) forms of arrogance that can creep into our own behavior each day.When someone engages in pornography, they are participating in the abuse of people made in God’s image. When we make cutting, sarcastic remarks, especially under the guise of humor, we publicly shame others to feel superior. When we exaggerate numbers, hide mistakes, or cut corners at work, we cheat people for personal gain. When we mistreat employees, customers, classmates, or family members, we are exploiting people rather than loving them.Arrogance and pride doesn’t only reveal itself in the lives of the famous, powerful, and rich. It often appears in our own personal lives. Habakkuk calls us to ask hard questions: Where am I using people instead of trusting God? Where am I protecting myself, advancing myself, or indulging myself at someone else’s expense?At the same time, this message comforts those who are suffering under people who live this way. Some of us are affected daily by manipulative coworkers, domineering supervisors, abusive spouses, dishonest business partners, or cruel family members.Habakkuk reminds us that God sees every act of exploitation and abuse, every shaming word, every ounce of violence and injustice, and none of it escapes his judgment. He says “woe” to these people in no uncertain terms. He is not like a useless idol which is no help at all. He is the creator God who will act with the full powers of his divine nature.The proud may flourish for a time, but they do not escape accountability. God’s justice is not rushed, but it is sure. That frees us from the exhausting and destructive burden of revenge, fear, or despair. We can remain silent, not because injustice doesn’t matter, but because God reigns. We can entrust our pain, our defense, and our future to him, confident that the Judge of all the earth will do right (Gen 18:25). Woe to the proud but comfort and salvation to his people who trust in him.Today, we began by naming some notorious figures in history who are known for their arrogance and pride. But Habakkuk has shown us that the danger of pride is not only out there in world governments or public villains, but in any heart that trusts in idols, refuses to trust in God, and who then abuses and uses people for selfish advantage and gain.The same pride that fueled Jezebel or Babylon, Cleopatra or Bernie Madoff can appear in our own lives, workplaces, homes, and churches whenever we exalt ourselves at the expense of others. When we do this, we reveal that we are worshiping idols of our own making rather than God.That’s why God’s final word to Habakkuk is not merely “woe” but an invitation to repent and to worship: “The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him” (Hab 2:20). The answer to pride is not louder arguments, tighter control, or greater self‑justification, but humble, quiet, obedient, and reverent trust in the living God. When we acknowledge his sovereignty, rest in his justice, and trust in his grace, we are freed from arrogance and fear. Woe to the proud, but comfort, safety, and hope to all who bow in humble worship before the Lord.Discussion QuestionsIn Habakkuk 2:5-20, the word “woe” appears five times. What does "woe" mean. What tone or effect does this create in the passage, and how does the sermon explain the meaning and purpose of these “woes”?The sermon identifies five patterns of behavior that reveal pride. As you read Habakkuk 2:6-20, what similarities or progression do you notice among these five warnings?According to both the passage and the sermon, why does God consistently connect pride with the mistreatment of other people rather than treating pride as a private, internal sin?Habakkuk contrasts proud people with those who “live by faith” (Hab 2:4). How does the sermon explain the relationship between trusting God and how a person treats others?The sermon says the five woes are meant to function like a mirror, not just a description of “public villains.” Which of the five warnings seems most subtle or easiest to overlook in everyday life? Why?The sermon summarizes pride this way: “When we stop trusting God, we start using people.” Where are you most tempted to protect, advance, or indulge yourself at someone else’s expense? What might trusting God look like in that situation?For those who are living under arrogant, manipulative, or abusive people, how does Habakkuk 2:5-20, especially God’s promise of judgment, provide comfort and hope rather than fear or despair?Habakkuk ends with a call for all the earth to be silent before the Lord (2:20). What does reverent silence and humble trust look like in practical terms for your life, and how can our group or our church cultivate this together?

Brookdale Baptist Church Sermon: Rejoice in the Lord

As we conclude this rich prophetic book, we are going to witness another significant step as the prophet continues to move from fear to faith. In chapter 3 we find Habakkuk’s response rise in a zenith of praise to God and find faith now more firmly imprinted on the humbled and strengthened heart of this man.What prompts the response we will find in chap 3? Let’s make a brief review. The first two chapters are difficult. Habakkuk is struggling as he looks outward, seeing an overwhelming flood of wickedness and injustice while wondering where God is and why he seems inactive. God responds with grace, even to the point of revealing some details of his plan for the future. Although perplexing, Habakkuk begins to bend his emotions and will to God’s sovereign power and plan. This culminates with a call in 2:20 (READ). The audience is called to consider the immensity of God in his holy temple and what that awesome thought evokes…. Silence. The prophets Zephaniah (1:7) and Zechariah (2:13) issued the same call…. Look! See who and where God is and be hushed before YHWH!Can we identify with this call? There are certainly experiences in life to which we can relate that invoke a similar response; standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon or other lofty height at sunset where vastness and beauty make speech feel small, or the climatic, final note of an incredible, orchestral performance that leaves the audience in silenced awe. Can you think of the last time when thoughts of God in his holy temple reduced you to silence? Should that be a frequent occurrence in the life of a believer? As a result, what should my response be?  We are going to observe Habakkuk’s response today. It is instructive as a personal testimony of what God did in his heart and a wise pattern for us to follow in our lives. Sometimes we may wonder or even be skeptical of the value in the writings of these OT prophets. After all, we are in the church age. The church isn’t Israel or vice versa. Weren’t all of these writings for different people and time?  The answer is no. “All Scripture is…profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.” Do we really believe that? The apostle Paul did and reminded the believers in Rome of the value which God places on the message of the prophets (Rom 15:4) – “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience/endurance and the comfort/encouragement of the Scriptures might have hope.”So, for our endurance and encouragement this morning, we are going to examine this valuable text by contemplating ways in which the faith of the righteous grows out of silence and contemplation of God.Faith responds in worship of God. (Hab 3:1-2)Objectifying, personifying “faith”.We could ground this response back in 2:4 (“The righteous shall live by faith”) by saying it this way, the righteous person’s faith grows through trials as his focus on God results in awe and submissive worship.Habakkuk’s approach to God in chapter 3 sounds different than his questioning of God in Chs. 1-2. Although not identified as such, could we consider those earlier exchanges with God as prayer? Certainly. We are not prohibited from asking questions as we pray. In fact, one of the amazing, and encouraging things about reading the OT (Moses, the prophets, Psalms) is that we mere humans are encouraged to approach God openly when life is difficult or even when we wonder if things are being managed well. And God, in his grace, always listens and sometimes responds. But here is the key. Rather than letting his doubts and fears drive a wedge between him and God, Habakkuk submits them to God in worship through prayer. As Chapter 3 opens, it simply says, “A prayer of Habakkuk…” In this simple phrase we witness a change in tone and focus. Habakkuk seems to shift away from looking out and around at the world and people toward an upward focus on God, who he is, what he has done and what he will do. This pattern is not unfamiliar in Scripture. David routinely goes through this recital in the Psalms; a look outward with all its perplexing and frightening aspects then grounded by a look upward to focus on and remember the God to whom he belongs. These patterns are not accidental. God has graciously given them to us for our “endurance and encouragement” and we would be wise to follow the same pattern.v. 2 – Habakkuk is overwhelmed in awe when he considers the scope of what God has revealed to him and the reality that it is imminent. We remember these themes from the first two chapters as: “Lord, how long?" "Lord, why them?" and "Woe to the Proud!” Even as God’s answers to his questions were perplexing, he bows to and accepts the awesome and eternal nature of God’s perfect holiness, righteousness and justice. Also mindful of God’s faithfulness, he remembers and pleads for God’s unfailing mercy in the midst of coming judgement.“Prayer is an integral part of worship in Scripture. In the OT the petitions and supplications of God’s people are based upon his character and divine covenants. The honor of God’s name and steadfastness of his word are a frequent appeal.” (Scofield)Before examining the main body of this prayer, there are some aspects of it that are worth noting:v. 1 Shigionoth – not clear but could be that of expressing an emotional response. What has been conveyed by God leading up to this could certainly evoke emotion. Perhaps this is tied to…v. 19 This prayer/poem/song is intended to be accompanied by stringed instrument and used in temple worship. The possessive phrase “my stringed instrument” may indicate that Habakkuk was personally trained in the use of such and personally involved in temple liturgy. This is the only OT writing besides the Psalms to contain musical notations.The literary style is that of the ancient epic. Epic literature features aspects such as grand subject matter, wide historical range, an heroic protagonist, elevated style and supernatural elements, all of which may be found here.So, once again faith responds in worship of God.Faith rehearses what God has done. (Hab 3:3-15)We just talked about the features of epic literature. One of the tendencies in reading such is that we are drawn to the heights of elevated style and speech. It can almost seem like we are soaring over the text at 30,000 feet. It could be likened to the IMAX theater experience and the thrilling, adrenaline rush as you are taken over the precipice and the whole world drops away under you. There is nothing wrong with this, and it certainly would have its place in the temple as God’s people worshiped. However, as we take the time today to text, there is great value in pausing to consider the imagery of some detail in the text. This is important to our understanding and embracing of God’s specific actions in time and space. So, we will try and focus on a few of them.vv. 3-4 – “God came from…” Habakkuk’s mind is drawn back to a specific time in which God came and was present with his people. This is known in Scripture as a theophany.  This theophany recounts the events of exodus from Egypt and journey through the Sinai wilderness. Here, God’s very presence was with his people (we are familiar with the visuals of this story; pillar of fire, cloud, descending on Mt Sinai, etc.). Habakkuk recounts the visual impact of God’s presence; Glory, splendor, praise, brightness, radiance, flashing rays, all of which incredibly reveal, yet shroud God’s omnipotence. (v. 4 – “There his power was hidden”)v. 5 – As God’s presence and power went forth, awesome events occurred. Pestilence was visited on Egypt in the climactic death of the firstborn. Plague (fever) came upon Israel on multiple occasions in the wilderness. Why? They repeatedly lifted themselves up in pride and complained against the leaders God had given over them.vv. 6-7 – The phrase “startled the nations” alludes to the scattering like chaff which fell upon the nations of Canaan and surrounding peoples who opposed and obstructed God as he fulfilled the covenant with his people.v. 8-11 – Here is recounted God’s judgement as it is seen and experienced throughout the natural world. With respect to water, he recalls events like the rivers and streams of Egypt turned to blood, the parting of the Red Sea, the parting of the Jordan river, the moving waters and vast oceans responding to God’s Word. The personification of natural elements and physical creation are an important feature of this epic. The same is often found in Psalms, sea roaring, rivers clapping their hands, hills being joyful before the Lord. Further in this text, the sun and moon stand still as God did for Joshua before the Amorites. All these rehearsed events are overarched by the visual image of YHWH riding as a conquering warrior with incredible power over the entire earth and its nations.v. 12-15 – Here begins a shift from looking back to now anticipating what God will do. The Bible is the grand epic of God’s redemption of all creation. The rehearsal of God’s past acts of power are always rooted in future purpose, that of the redemption and salvation of his people, echoing back to the promise in the garden (Gen 3:15), “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” We see the same alluded to in v. 13 - “You struck the head from the house of the wicked”. There is hope for the future as the promise of complete victory over the seed of the serpent is again remembered.This wonderful song of hope in salvation is heard throughout Scripture.Moses sang of this in Exodus 15 – “The Lord is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation…”David’s song of deliverance in II Samuel 22 – “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation,…”David again sings in Psalm 68 ‘ “The God of our salvation! Our God is the God of salvation…”Mary sang of this in Luke 1 – “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God, my Savior…”In epic and musical form, Habakkuk offers a prayer rejoicing in hope; past, present and future, even amid personal, national and worldly turmoil.Let’s stop here for a moment… Should we, as believers today, recall and rehearse the things that God did in Israel’s history and claim that hope for our own? Or was that just for them? Should we recall and rehearse that which is recorded in the NT as God showed his faithfulness to the first century church? Outside of Scripture, should we read and recount God’s deliverance of his followers down through the next 19 centuries? Should I recall the faithfulness of God demonstrated in the recent, brief history of my life and church? Should I consider Revelation, looking eagerly ahead to God’s faithfulness until the end of time and the ushering in of eternity future? YES, YES, YES, YES AND YES! The hall of faith in Hebrews 11 is followed by the challenge to believers to consider and remember that we are surrounded by that “great cloud of witnesses”.So, to again tie back to 2:4 - The righteous person’s faith grows through trials as he remembers/rehearses ALL that God has done, both in his life and others.Faith rejoices in God, my Savior. (Hab 3:16-19)v. 16-17 It is interesting to contemplate these three sentences. Habakkuk has laid a solid theological foundation of who God is and what He has done. He will end by rejoicing and resting in what God will do. This is right and proper. Bookended within this triumphant hope is the rollercoaster of reality in which he finds himself as a natural man living in a fallen world. I think this is a place to which we can relate.v. 16 - He admits to the reality of what he will likely witness and experience during the Babylonian siege. It frankly reduces him to a physical wreck, chattering teeth, knocking knees, incontinence. Uncontrollable physical response to terror.Then, an interesting observation:The phrase: NKJV “That I might rest in the day of trouble..” may also be translated as: “Yet I quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.” (ESV)He must endure this terror quietly as he waits for God to bring subsequent judgement upon the oppressor.v. 17 - Then, he continues this reality check by making detailed inventory of what they will lack. The result? Severe starvation. Elsewhere in the prophets, the sobering realities of starvation during a siege a shockingly detailed.However, he uses a key word in this which changes everything, “though”. “Though the fig tree should not blossom, though the labor of the olive may fail, though the flock may be cut off…” although we will face starvation….v. 18 - “YET I will rejoice in YHWH, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” This exultation is a declaration that Habakkuk’s love for God is not based on what he expects God to give him in this life. Though he will endure suffering, deprivation and loss, he will rejoice in the God of his salvation. Here is one of the strongest manifestations of faith, rooted back to God’s words in 2:4 – which may be translated, perhaps more fully to: The righteous shall live by his faithfulness. This could be expanded to what is at the end of our notes…..A person with true faith in God endures hardship in the present with true joy because he rests in God’s character and promises, even if the immediate circumstances of life seem to contradict.v. 19 – Is there anything more to say? Yes, and it is not insignificant. “God, my strength…” Here, and elsewhere in Scripture this phrase expresses furthest, deepest statement of rest in the assurance and unshaking security of the man who trusts God by faith.Many of the Psalms and other prophets contain strong and encouraging reminders of these precious truths, God my salvation and God my strength. Listed in the notes are several upon which you may wish to meditate further.&gt;&gt;&gt; Psalm 18:2,46, 25:5, 62:1, 73:26, 88:1, Isaiah 12:2, 61:10, Micah 7:7 &lt;&lt;&lt;We have considered personal application at several points along the way. We know that the precious Words of God found here in this seemingly inconspicuous writing of an otherwise unknown man is not isolated. The call to a life of growing faithfulness is repeated throughout the Bible. So, we’ll conclude with the call of James 1:2-4:“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience/steadfastness. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”DiscussionLife101Can you remember experiencing something that left you with a sense of awe?What could we change about our habits to feel this way about God regularly?What does Habakkuk’s progression from praying about the people and injustice around him to focusing on God in worship reveal about him?How might this explain his ability to submit his doubts and fears to God in a righteous way?What are some habits we can build to be like Habakkuk in this way?The sermon tells us that the righteous person’s faith grows through trials as he remembers/rehearses ALL that God has done What are some examples things which God has done in the physical world that we can “rehearse” to worship Him?What about some spiritual things that God has done?Digging DeeperMultiple references to the first promise of the Gospel in Gen. 3:15 are made in Hab. 3:12-13. How can the future hope of the Gospel enhance worship through rehearsal of God’s acts?

Brookdale Baptist Church Sermon: Questioning God's Justice

Malachi 2:17–3:6A parent stands in the doorway of the family room. With dinner nearly ready and toys across the floor, they tell their child, calmly and clearly, “It’s time to pick up your toys.” The child barely looks up. “I’m still playing with them,” she says. The parent replies, “You’ve had hours to play and dinner is almost ready.” But the child replies, “You never let me finish anything.” “That’s not true, I’ve let you finish many things, just look at all the pictures and building sets sitting on the table over there.” “You’re always telling me what to do.” “I’m your parent. Pick them up.” “But you never listen to me,” replies the child. And then the child looks straight at the parent and says, “Why don’t you ever listen to me?”Conversations like this are hard to handle. How should we respond when the person we speak with shifts blame, ignores correction, and accuses you of the very ways in which they are wrong. That sort of interaction is expected from children and can happen from teenagers, too. But unfortunately, it often happens from adults, too. When adults interact this way with God, it is especially disappointing.This is what Israel was doing to God in Malachi 2:17–3:6. In fact, it’s what they do through the entire book of Malachi. God gives them a correction or statement and they argue and ask questions right back, saying things which show they aren’t listening to what he says.He’s told them how deeply he loves them, but they questioned his love.He’s told them they are being disrespectful, but they insist they are being respectful.He’s told them they are being disloyal, but they insist they are being loyal.Back and forth they go until next, they question whether God is just and faithful. Have you ever done this? Have you ever argued with God rather than take seriously what he says?We weary God when we ask insincere questions about his justice. (2:17)The people of Israel were accusing God of favoring evil people over them. They said, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them,” and asked, “Where is the God of justice?”It seems these were two popular sayings repeated by people in Israel at that time. With these comments, they accused God of failing to be who he claimed to be and expressed dissatisfaction with God and what he was doing in their lives. They had a pessimistic view of God’s character and promises and portrayed God as being inconsistent and negligent.There’s an English idiom, “Not all it’s cracked up to be.” It’s based on an old use of the word “crack,” which meant to brag highly about something or talk something or someone up. The famous American pioneer, Davy Crocket, said this about Martin van Buren (a politician who became the 8th U.S. president), “He’s not all he’s cracked up to be.”Doubters and skeptics through the ages have raised similar remarks about God, saying he’s not all Scripture claims him to be. But Malachi says comments like these “weary God.” To be weary means to be physically exhausted from strenuous labor or emotionally exhausted due to relentless frustration. Endless, unresolved arguments can do this.Since God is all-powerful and infinite, we know he cannot be weary in a literal sense (Isa 40:28). In fact, he is the source of strength for people who are weary (Isa 43:29-31). So, when God says people weary him, he is saying that his patience is nearing an end. And what was bringing his patience to an end? The senseless claims and questions of Israel.God didn’t view questions like theirs as expressions of natural curiosity, healthy relationship building, or searching for the truth. He viewed them as expressions of foolish, stubborn unbelief about things which are clearly, plainly obvious. This disproves a maxim promoted by scientist Carl Sagan and popularized by newspaper columnist, Abigail Van Buren, author of the Milwaukee newspaper column “Dear Abby.”“There are naïve questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand the world. There is no such thing as a dumb question.” (Carl Sagan)“There is no such thing as a stupid question if it's sincere. Better to ask and risk appearing stupid than to continue on your ignorant way and make a stupid mistake.” (Dear Abby)According to God, there *are* bad questions. Israel had numerous claims and statements by God from numerous prophets in Scripture, esp. the words of God’s covenant with Israel through Moses, plus countless impressive, undeniable examples of God’s faithfulness, justice, and loyalty shown to their forefathers and themselves in real-time. Their questions ignored these obvious evidences of God’s justice and loyalty.  Bad questions to God are those which people ask about God which show they are ignoring the obvious answers he has already given. Bad questions are those which people ask when they already know the answer.Sometimes people take something they’re experiencing or guilty of themselves and shift the blame or guilt onto someone else. A suspicious friend who has been talking behind your back accuses you of gossiping. A jealous coworker who feels threatened by your success at work accuses you of trying to show off. A detached church member tells people that their church is standoffish and judgmental.These are examples of “projection,” which occurs if someone attributes their own attitudes, failures, motives, or sins to another person. This often happens unintentionally, without realizing it. And this is what Israel was doing to God in Malachi 2:17–3:6. They accused him of inconsistency and injustice, qualities which described themselves instead. They were the ones, not God, who were favoring evil people and behaving unjustly. They were the ones offering disrespectful sacrifices, divorcing their spouses for selfish reasons, marrying people who worshiped idols, and more. Douglas Stewart observes:Sinners are invariably inconsistent. The thief is always outraged when someone steals from him. The liar is deeply offended when someone lies to her. The cheater deeply resents finding that she has been defrauded, and the murderer wants himself and his family to live in peace. The expectations of sinners are characteristically hypocritical.The apostle Paul acknowledges this problem when he says:You are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (Rom 2:1)Have you ever caught yourself doing the same thing, accusing other people or God himself of letting you down in a way that you yourself failed God or other people? Children do this naturally and it’s easy to spot when they do:A child fails his exam at school and blames his parents for the result. He claims that the chores and bedtimes they assigned prevented him from studying well. The reality, though, is that he used his free time to nap, read books, and play computer games.A child breaks something valuable and blames her parents for leaving it where she could reach it. She says the accident was really their fault, but the reality is that she had been told multiple times not to play carelessly in that area but ignored the warning.When we do this as adults to God, we act like children and God is not impressed with our antics with this attitude. There is a key difference, though, between people criticizing God and children criticizing parents. At one point or another, children realize their parents, no matter how loving and wise they may be, are imperfect sinners, so there is always an angle or way to find a flaw or imperfection with them. But when we criticize God, we act worse than a child because there is no imperfection with him. There is nothing to criticize.If anyone wants to be clever, they can accuse God of being unjust and negligent because he doesn’t judge evil immediately to the full degree. But even that is disingenuous and self-contradictory because if God did judge evil immediately to the full degree, no one would survive a day free from divine judgment. Be careful what you wish for.Sure, God’s justice can be hard to see because he doesn’t judge evil immediately to the full degree. But he is just, nonetheless. As the German poet Friedrich von Logau said:Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all.So, God responded to these sayings of Israel by announcing some of his plans. These plans would begin to occur about 400 years later. Patience would be required, and even then, once they began, they would require even more patience to happen completely.He promised to send a messenger – John the Baptist. (3:1)Sometimes a parent will respond to a child’s attempts at blame shifting and projection by taking some immediate action to prove their child wrong.“You never let me have any fun,” says the child. So, the parent cancels homework for the night to play games and watch a movie late into the night.“You don’t care about me because you make me eat stuff I don’t like,” says the child. So, the parent makes a separate meal for the child and increases their dessert.“You don’t love me,” says the child in a tantrum at the store. So, the parent buys them a candy bar or toy to prove they love them.Kneejerk reactions like these comes from insecurity in the heart of a parent, but God has no insecurity and nothing to prove. He knows he is faithful and just and that these facts are blatantly obvious, no matter what we may say about him. So, to respond to the wearisome questions of the people of Israel, God stood firm and remained calm in his response to their childishness.He didn’t stoop to their level with a quick, immediate response, doing something right to prove he is just and faithful. He gave them a big-picture, long-term response about what he had planned for the future, four hundred years later. This response showed he had a just and faithful plan but was working it out intentionally and would not be rushed.“You never let me have any fun,” says the child. So, the parent explains how if they do their homework, they will do better in school and be more likely to do get a good job in the future.“You don’t care about me because you make me eat stuff I don’t like,” says the child. So, the parent explains the complexity of building a meal schedule, how healthy food helps them grow strong and prevents disease in their future.“You don’t love me,” says the child in a tantrum at the store. So, the parent explains the difference between needs and wants, shows how much the family already spends on groceries, and reveals how much they need to save for their summer vacation.God explained that his justice would involve sending a messenger. We could say “another” messenger, since Malachi was also a messenger of God, not only since he was an OT prophet but since that’s what his name means, literally. The word/name “Malachi” is the Hebrew word for “messenger.” By promising to send a messenger in the future, God was telling people to look for another messenger both after Malachi and like Malachi.The OT speaks about this messenger three times, twice in Malachi and once in Isaiah:Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. (Mal 3:1)Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. (Mal 4:5)The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isa 40:3)Jesus quoted Mal 3:1 to explain that John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy (Mt 11:10):This is he of whom it is written: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.”Though John the Baptist would arrive four hundred years later to prepare people to receive and believe on Jesus Christ, this approach accomplished several things.First, it proved that though God was not reactionary in his justice, doing something right away because people questioned him, he was faithful and just to his people. Rather than destroy or disown them for their insolence, he would remain faithful to his covenant with them for another four hundred years. Second, it proved the faithfulness of God because four hundred years, John the Baptist came just as Malachi had promised.In the business world, there is a mantra, “make a plan, work the plan.” This motto separates dreamers from doers and recognizes that deliberate movement in a clear direction towards clear goals is far better and just than quick reactions and bursts of speed. More than anyone else, it describes the nature and behavior of our faithful God.He doesn’t let our criticisms and questions force kneejerk reactions. He made a plan in eternity by his sovereignty, and he simply works out that plan one intentional, well-planned step at a time. And nothing you ever do or say will change what he is doing. Whether you agree or not, he knows he is faithful and just, and that’s all that matters.He promised to send a refiner – Jesus Christ. (3:2-5)After announcing that John the Baptist would come, God also announced another messenger who would come right after him. Notice this sudden change in the middle of 3:1 from speaking about the messenger, John the Baptist, to speaking about himself (“me”) and “the Lord.” This shift in the sentence mirrors the quick shift that would happen between the public ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus would come onto the scene only a few months after John the Baptist began preparing people to hear him.In 3:1, Malachi describes this third messenger as “the Messenger of the covenant” and calls him “the Lord.” What’s more, he claims that the Temple is “his” Temple, which can only be a reference to God himself, who would prove to be none other than Jesus Christ. To the Jews living in Jerusalem at that time, this referred to the newly rebuilt Temple that Ezra had recently help them build. The one to whom this Temple belonged would come!Only months after the birth of John the Baptist, the parents of Jesus took him to the Jerusalem temple at eight days old (Lk 2:21-38), and he spent much time worshiping and teaching there during his ministry. And he was the one who cast out the people selling animals in the Temple for sacrifices, using worship of God as a money-making scheme.This announcement of a coming messenger followed by the Messenger, God himself, was God’s answer to the crazy question of 2:17. Question: “Where is the God of justice?” Answer: he’s coming to the Temple soon (in 400 years). You will know it is him because another man like Malachi and Elijah will announce him several months in advance.Moving on, Malachi described the behavior of this third Messenger, Jesus Christ, to be like a silver refiner or a laundry worker.A silver refiner is someone whose work is to apply controlled, intense heat to raw silver so that every impurity rises to the surface and can be removed.“A laundry worker’s task was to clean clothes by soaking them in water in which lye had been dissolved, then beating and scrubbing them, and finally rinsing them. This was a separation process as well—separating dirt from fabric. The dirt was taken away and the pure fabric remained, just as in refining the slag was taken away by the heat of the fire and the pure metal remained.” (Douglas Stuart)From these illustrations, we see that God would eventually remove and cleanse out from Israel those who didn’t genuinely believe on him and from those who did. Because he is just something they questioned, he would not bless them indiscriminately.He would purify the priests and spiritual leaders (“the sons of Levi”), for instance, separating those who were genuine believers from those who were not, to restore genuine worship and end the hypocritical worship they were engaging in.But he would do this for all people, too, not just the priests. He would judge people who practice sorcery, commit adultery, do perjury, deprive workers of wages, oppress widows and orphans, and withhold justice from foreigners. What do these sins refer to?Sorcery: any kind of magic or supernatural behavior which sought information and power from the supernatural world apart from God himself.Adultery: immoral, sensual activity which violated the covenant of marriage.Perjury: lying under oath, which often included invoking God’s name and honor.Depriving wages: mistreating and taking advantage of people who rely on you for their needs only to benefit yourself.Oppressing widows and orphans: mistreating and taking advantage of people who have no one to care for them.Withholding justice from foreigners: mistreating and taking advantage of people who are at a disadvantage because they weren’t native to that area.All these practices were clearly forbidden in God’s covenant with his people, given by Moses. They were a matter of loyalty and justice. When people do these things (and things like this), they show that they “do not fear God” (3:5), which means they do not take God seriously. They also show that they are genuinely concerned about justice. They may say they care about justice and may even accuse God of being unjust, but in reality, if they do these things, they are not genuinely concerned about justice at all.God says that Jesus will be both the witness and judge. He “will come near for judgment” and “be a swift witness” (3:5). This resembles what John later presents as the Great White Throne judgment, that final judgment which will occur for all people (Rev 21:5-8):He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new” … but the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”What we read in 3:2-5 refers to the full sweep of Christ’s coming into the world, from the time he came as an infant, teacher, and sacrifice 2,000 years ago to the time he will come as a judge in the future still to come. And though this would all begin to occur 400 years after Malachi spoke these words and though some of these things have yet to occur, one this is very clear – and this is what we must acknowledge. We are the ones who change, not God. (3:6-7)“I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’”If you’re tempted to agree that God isn’t “all he’s cracked up to be” in Scripture, then you’re tempted by a wrong idea. It is not God who says one thing but does another. That would be us. We, like the people of Israel, say good things but do bad things. While God’s justice may move slowly, it moves steadily and surely. While we are the ones who make U-turns and take wrong exits, God doesn’t change directions. God is just, we are not.For more than 2,000 years, God had repeatedly proven himself just countless times. In the covenant he made with Israel at Mount Sinai, he featured a variety of commands and principles we expected his people to follow, both for how they worshiped him and how they treated others. In all these instructions, he insisted upon justice for all in every way.Through all those years, he had been faithful – through all those years, he had been so, so good.  It was the people, not God, who had been unfaithful, unjust, and unloving, both to him and to one another. Therefore, it was them who needed to change, not God. And because God is faithful and just, he did two things.First, he gave them the clear call and opportunity to repent and return to him. If they would acknowledge their sin and turn to God in faith, he would forgive their sin and bless them.Second, he promised to give them a Savior, a “messenger of the covenant” who would make this forgiveness and salvation possible. In Lk 22:20, we see Jesus Christ speak as this “messenger of the covenant” four hundred years after Malachi wrote this message.Likewise, He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Lk 22:20)As Malachi finishes God’s reply to Israel’s senseless question, “Where is the God of justice?” he makes something very clear. God is not absent, indifferent, or unfaithful. He had a plan to come to them in a new and special way, to show his justice and faithfulness to them in a way not seen before.When Jesus, this “messenger of the covenant,” came, he didn’t merely argue with the religious leaders or call out the people’s sins – which he did. He came to do what God had promised all along, not only to cleanse and remove wicked people from among them, but also to cleanse and remove sin and injustice from the hearts of people who would repent and return to him.Most importantly, he showed God’s justice and forgiveness at the cross, where he shed his own blood as the consequence and covering for our sin. The justice of God was not denied at the cross, it was displayed there.That is why Luke 22:20 is such a fitting place for us to close today: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” The people in Malachi’s day questioned God’s justice and loyalty, but at the Lord’s Table we remember that God’s justice and mercy meet perfectly in Christ. Here is the covenant Messenger, not only announcing God’s justice, but fulfilling it with his own blood – showing us the injustice of our sin and dying for the guilty, so that we can return to God in full forgiveness and faith.So, as we come to the Lord’s Supper today, let us come with any thoughts or accusations against God, but trusting him, not questioning his love, but remembering it, not excusing our sin, but confessing it. And let us eat this bread and drink this cup with hearts of humble gratitude, because the God whose justice we could never satisfy has satisfied it for us with his Son, the messenger of God’s covenant of faithfulness.May we stop accusing God of things for which we ourselves are guilty because he himself died as though guilty for our sins so that we may, with complete justice, go free.