Where Is the God of Justice?

This passage emphasises the sacredness of marriage made before God, and sternly rebukes the sin of husbands who abandon their wives and marry foreign women. Like the union of Adam and Eve, husband and wife must leave their parents and become one, and the passage makes clear that this is not merely a legal union but a covenant relationship with God. Yet the people dishonoured God's holiness by mistreating or abandoning their wives and marrying foreign women who worshipped idols. As the cases of Solomon and Rehoboam show, the faith and character of parents are an important factor in shaping their children's destiny.

The sermon points out the double-minded attitude of performing religious rituals outwardly while sinning in daily life. It makes clear that the reason God does not accept the people's offerings lies in the breakdown of their families and their false faith. In particular, it treats a husband's mistreating his wife or abandoning the wife of his youth as a grave sin that grieves God. It emphasises that God wants upright families in order to raise godly offspring, and that the character of the head of the household determines the family's peace and the children's growth in faith.

Finally, it warns that God's holding back judgment in patience does not mean he forgives sin. When judgment is delayed even though they sin, the people protest by asking where the God of justice is, but this is an attitude that abuses grace. Should we not, instead of taking God's patience for granted, repent and build godly families?