While the people cynically questioned God’s justice and longed for his intervention, in Malachi 2:17-3:5, God told them he would be coming in judgment after his messenger prepared the way. In the New Testament, we learn who that messenger was and what God did when he showed up, which was a shock to all.
In his greeting, Paul previewed coming attractions in the rest of the letter, including the main event of Christ’s humiliation and exaltation.
In answer to Habakkuk’s complaint about God using the wicked to accomplish his purpose, God declared that the righteous will live by faith.
If we died and rose with Christ, we need to strip off the rags of the old life and put on the habits of...