Malachi gives the people an answer to their question—though it was not the answer they were expecting. They would learn firsthand that God was indeed just and that His justice would be observed in His preparation of the path by a forerunner (3:1a), His coming (3:1b–2), His refining work (3:3–4), His judgment (3:5), and His long-suffering (3:6). Those who were so anxious to see God would get their chance. But His coming would not be a panacea for all the ills of life, as so many unprepared people