2:17–3:5 Religious cynics charge the Lord with injustice. God responds with the promise that He will send a messenger to prepare the way before Him and then return to His temple. His presence among a wicked people requires judgment and gracious refinement (3:2, 3). He will change the Levites’ hearts and they will then offer sacrifices in righteousness once again. The judgment will be exacting (3:5). The Lord Himself will be the chief witness for the prosecution of His people.