Charges (1:6-4:3)
Charges Against The Priests (1:6-2:9)
MALACHI 2:7-18
Reading: 1Pe 1:13-16
Songs:
Theme: understanding that God expects us to be holy
INTRODUCTION
A. When you need further knowledge on something to where or whom do you go? If you want to know more about gardening you might talk to a successful farmer. If you want more knowledge on working with wood you might talk to a carpenter. If you want more knowledge on our spiritual roles you ought to go to God’s written word.
B. The New Testament never uses the term priest to describe an individual or a particular group of people in the church, as a separate entity as in the Old Testament (cp. Heb 7:23-25) or a clergy as in the denominations. Never-the-less, in the New Testament church, there is a high priest, Jesus Christ, after the order of Melchazidec and a priesthood - every Christian, their service is offering up daily spiritual sacrifices (cp. Rom 12:1). Therefore, we can find some application for ourselves from what the prophet Malachi told the priests of Israel.
Discussion:
I. GOD’S PRIESTS (2:4-9).
Faithfulness As A Priest
A. ... the priest’s should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth ... (2:4-7).
7 For the priest’s <03548> lips <08193> should keep <08104> (8799) knowledge <01847>, and they should seek <01245> (8762) the law <08451> at his mouth <06310>: for he is the messenger <04397> of the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>.
1. keep, Strong’s - 08104. rmv SHAMAR shaw-mar’; a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:— beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man)
AV-keep 283, observe 46, heed 35, keeper 28, preserve 21, beware 9, mark 8, watchman 8, wait 7, watch 7, regard 5, save 2, misc 9; 468 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one’s guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
08799 Stem - QalSee 08851
Mood - ImperfectSee 08811
Count-19885
(2Ti 4:15)
2. seeks, Strong’s - 01245. vqb BAQASH baw-kash’; a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after:— ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for)
AV-seek 189, require 14, request 4, seek out 4, enquired 3, besought 2, ask 2, sought for 2, begging 1, desire 1, get 1, inquisition 1, procureth 1; 225 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
08762 Stem - PielSee 08840
Mood - ImperfectSee 08811
Count-2447
a. The priests were to keep or take heed themselves in regard their knowledge of God’s word and they were to seek or enquire of it.
b. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and understanding (Pro 9:10).
c. As a messenger of God priests are to practice true religion, keeping themselves unspotted by the world (Jam 1:27; 1Pe 1:13-16).
3. God had described what the Levites priests were supposed to be, and what they had been previously, but he also described what they had become in Malachi's day.
Unfaithful As A Priest
B. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble ... (2:8-9).
8 But ye are departed <05493> (8804) out of the way <01870>; ye have caused many <07227> to stumble <03782> (8689) at the law <08451>; ye have corrupted <07843> (8765) the covenant <01285> of Levi <03878>, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>. {stumble at: or, fall in}
1. They no longer walked (departed) in submission to God (2:8a).
a. Many Christians no longer see the need for book, chapter and verse for what they do in the Lord’s name.
b. Many no longer see the necessity of coming to all the assemblies of the saints when they are able.
c. “It matters not whether one be an elder, deacon, preacher, teacher, Greek scholar, or renown critic, he has no authority to alter God’s word. To do so, will bring God’s wrath upon him as it was brought upon the priests in Malachi’s day. Here, we might emphasize that translators have no right to tamper with god’s word either. Yet, the modern translations give evidence that this is being done profusely. Those responsible for the alterations, and those who give them their endorsement stand with the preset of old, accursed of God.” [1]
2. They had caused many by example, to “stumble at the law,” having turned from following it (2:8b; cf. Neh. 13:29).
a. When Moses came down off the mount with the word of God and saw the idle Aaron had made, the wickedness of the people, he, “said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him” (Exo 32:25-26).
(1) Originally, the Levites had been faithful in drawing near to God.
(2) Later, as the priests they had been faithful to instruct the people in the ways of the Lord and turned many of Israel from their sin.
(3) However, as time went on the priests turned from following God and from truthfully instructed the people.
b. Any time our example is not after God’s will we encourage others to also not follow after God’s will.
3. They had corrupted “the covenant of Levi” (2:5) through bribery and partiality in their judgments (Mal. 2:9; cf. Mic. 3:11; Zep 3:4; Eze 22:26; cp. Jam 2:2-4).
9 Therefore have I also made <05414> (8804) you contemptible <0959> (8737) and base <08217> before all the people <05971>, according <06310> as ye have not kept <08104> (8802) my ways <01870>, but have been partial <05375> (8802) <06440> in the law <08451>. {have been…: or, lifted up the face against: Heb. accepted faces}
4. The consequence was God had made them “contemptible and base before all the people.”
Transition: Let’s briefly examine in more detail, what it was the priests had done.
II. ISRAEL’S PRIESTS (2:10-18).
Treacherous Actions
A. ... why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother ... (2:10).
10 ¶ Have we not all one <0259> father <01>? hath not one <0259> God <0410> created <01254> (8804) us? why do we deal treacherously <0898> (8799) every man <0376> against his brother <0251>, by profaning <02490> (8763) the covenant <01285> of our fathers <01>?
1. They had dealt treacherously by profaning the covenant.
2. The prophet listed some of their treacherous actions.
B. Judah hath dealt treacherously ... and hath married the daughter of a strange god ... (2:11-13).
Rebuke Of Improper Marriages
11 Judah <03063> hath dealt treacherously <0898> (8804), and an abomination <08441> is committed <06213> (8738) in Israel <03478> and in Jerusalem <03389>; for Judah <03063> hath profaned <02490> (8765) the holiness <06944> of the LORD <03068> which he loved <0157> (8804), and hath married <01166> (8804) the daughter <01323> of a strange <05236> god <0410>. {loved: or, ought to love}
a. They had dealt treacherously by marrying “the daughter of a strange god” (vs 11-13).
(1) They had specifically commanded them against religiously mixed marriages ().
(2) Marriages to foreign women had always hurt Israel (Num 25:2-5, 7-8).
(3) “Can two walk together, except they be agreed” (Amo 3:3)?
(4) They had this problem after the captivity (Ezr 9:1, 12; 10:11, Neh 13:23, 27).
(5) In the Book of Ezra, improper marriages were confessed and those wives were put away (Ezr 7:14, 25-26; 9-10).
(6) The evidence of the disaster it caused for Israel was seen through Solomon, “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods” (1Kg 11:4).
12 The LORD <03068> will cut off <03772> (8686) the man <0376> that doeth <06213> (8799) this, the master <05782> (8802) and the scholar <06030> (8802), out of the tabernacles <0168> of Jacob <03290>, and him that offereth <05066> (8688) an offering <04503> unto the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>. {the master…: or, him that waketh, and him that answereth}
b. The penalty God decreed for their marrying pagan wives was that he would cut off all who committed it (v 12).
13 And this have ye done <06213> (8799) again <08145>, covering <03680> (8763) the altar <04196> of the LORD <03068> with tears <01832>, with weeping <01065>, and with crying out <0603>, insomuch that he regardeth <06437> (8800) not the offering <04503> any more, or receiveth <03947> (8800) it with good will <07522> at your hand <03027>.
c. What they had done caused their worship and sacrifices to find no acceptance with God.
Rebuke Of Improper Divorce
C. ... the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously ... (2:14-16).
14 Yet ye say <0559> (8804), Wherefore <04100>? Because the LORD <03068> hath been witness <05749> (8689) between thee and the wife <0802> of thy youth <05271>, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously <0898> (8804): yet is she thy companion <02278>, and the wife <0802> of thy covenant <01285>.
1. They had dealt treacherously with their wives by improperly divorcing them, even as many Christians do (vs 14-16).
a. Marriage is a covenant relationship.
(1) Those who divorce for other then fornication and remarry become adulterers (Mat 19:9).
(2) Paul pointed this danger when he wrote, “let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1Co 7:2).
b. No doubt some of the priests of our text had wondered why God didn’t seem to answer their prayers, and the answer was their ungodliness towards their wives.
c. The same is still true for us (cp. 1Pe 3:7).
15 And did not he make <06213> (8804) one <0259>? Yet had he the residue <07605> of the spirit <07307>. And wherefore one <0259>? That he might seek <01245> (8764) a godly <0430> seed <02233>. Therefore take heed <08104> (8738) to your spirit <07307>, and let none deal treacherously <0898> (8799) against the wife <0802> of his youth <05271>. {residue: or, excellency} {godly…: Heb. seed of God} {treacherously: or, unfaithfully}
16 For the LORD <03068>, the God <0430> of Israel <03478>, saith <0559> (8804) that he hateth <08130> (8804) putting away <07971> (8763): for one covereth <03680> (8765) violence <02555> with his garment <03830>, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>: therefore take heed <08104> (8738) to your spirit <07307>, that ye deal not treacherously <0898> (8799). {that he…: or, if he hate her, put her away} {putting…: Heb. to put away}
2. The Lord warned them against dealing ungodly with their wives for “he hateth putting away” (vs 15-16; cp. Mat 19:4-6).
a. This was not a contradiction to Deu 24:1-4, where Moses permitted divorce.
b. Jesus made it clear divorce was only added because of hard hearts (cp. Mat 19:8).
c. Marriage is an institution that was established by God.
(1) It is also an institution that has long been under fire.
(2) There are many people and groups seeking to change it.
(a) Some don’t see it as relevant. The Palo Alto Times published an article concerning a number of women, most of them middle-aged, who were having children, intending to raise those children without a husband or a father. These single women didn't accidentally become pregnant outside of marriage, but planned to have children and to raise those children without a husband or a father. I suppose I was more shocked that I was not shocked. It is almost as though you would expect this sort of thing to happen.
(b) Some see it as relevant but want to change its meaning. Homosexuals are seeking to change the meaning of a marriage from a man and a woman to a man and man, or a woman and a woman.
(c) Others seeing it as relevant want to through away the commitment, the covenant they made, so they can make a new one with someone else.
(d) Before entering into marriage, we need to think seriously about what it is we are doing, so that when the devil comes knocking, we won’t give up our marriage.
D. Ye have wearied the LORD with your words ... (2:17).
17 Ye have wearied <03021> (8689) the LORD <03068> with your words <01697>. Yet ye say <0559> (8804), Wherein have we wearied <03021> (8689) him? When ye say <0559> (8800), Every one that doeth <06213> (8802) evil <07451> is good <02896> in the sight <05869> of the LORD <03068>, and he delighteth <02654> (8804) in them; or, Where is the God <0430> of judgment <04941>?
a. wearied, Strong’s - 03021. egy YAGAÆ yaw-gah’; a primitive root; properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil:— faint, (make to) labour, (be) weary
AV-weary 13, labour 12, fainted 1; 26 1) to toil, labour, grow weary, be weary 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to toil, labour 1a2) to grow weary, be weary 1b) (Piel) to weary, make weary, cause to go toilsomely 1c) (Hiphil) to make to toil, make weary, cause to be weary
b. The Lord could no longer put up with their attitude toward evil (v 17; Isa 5:20).
c. God is patient, but he will tolerate rebellion forever (cp. Act 17:30).
d. They no longer feared God’s judgment.
e. “Where is the God of judgment” (cp. Psa 10:11).
(1) God has forgotten.
(2) God has hidden.
(3) God will not see.
(4) In other words the wicked didn’t believe God would judge them.
Conclusion:
God will judge all his priests and that will included you and me. Let’s strive I faithfulness to offer up to God, daily, holy and acceptable sacrifices.
Discussion:
What had their actions caused to happen to their worship (2:13)?
Sources:
[1] Victor, M. Eskew, The Disgusting Debate (I), The Book Of Malachi, Firm Foundation, December 9, 1986, Page 23
in charity through Christ, Ra ymo nd Wis em an