“You have wearied the Lord with your words; yet you say, ‘In what way have we wearied Him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,’ or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” (Malachi 2:17).

God’s urgent message to these Jews was that they were trying His patience. They had wearied the Lord with their words. The Hebrew word translated “wearied” means “to gasp, to be exhausted.” The Jews were doing this to God with their words. Their continual complaints against God were beating Him down and wearing Him out. 

The words which wearied the Lord were accusations against His righteousness, justice, and power. Since evildoers appeared to go unpunished by God, it was assumed that God either favored evil doers or He was powerless to punish them.

It is true that evil doers often appear to escape justice and punishment in this life. The Bible acknowledges this fact several times (Job 21:7-26; Ps. 73:1-14; Jer. 12:1; Hab. 1:2-4). However, the Jews of Malachi’s day were using this observation as a license to practice evil. When anyone challenged their sin, their answer was to accuse God of being unjust or impotent.

These wicked men had tried God’s patience, and His patience was coming to an end.

God’s ways are best. Evil doers may appear to prosper and escape justice in this life. That is God’s business. What we know is that no one will escape judgment on the Last Day. Nothing will be forgotten, overlooked, ignored, or hidden. In the meantime, we must endure the injustices of life with a strong faith in God. May we never weary God with our faithless words.