1 “And now, O priests, this command is for you.”
2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.
3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it.
4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts.
5 “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.”
6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
8 But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts,
9 “Therefore I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”
10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?
11 Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.
12 May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob
any descendant of the man who does this,
who brings an offering to the Lord of hosts!
13 And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.
14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.
16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”
The True Meaning of Malachi 2
The Book of Malachi was written by the prophet Malachi, one of the last prophets of the Old Testament. He lived during a time when the Israelites had returned from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding their lives in Judah. This chapter addresses the spiritual decline of the priests and the people, calling them to repentance and a renewed commitment to God. Malachi delivers a stern rebuke to the priests in this passage, accusing them of despising God’s name and offering defiled sacrifices. He warns them of the consequences of their unfaithfulness and calls them to return to their sacred duties. The chapter also touches on the importance of maintaining the covenant relationship with God, both for the priests and the people.
Malachi’s message echoes the warnings found in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah’s call for the people to return to the Lord (Jeremiah 3:12-14) and Ezekiel’s condemnation of the shepherds who have failed to care for the flock (Ezekiel 34:1-10). The prophet’s words serve as a reminder that true worship and obedience to God must be at the heart of the Israelites’ lives, both individually and as a community.
Malachi 2:1-4
The prophet Malachi delivers a powerful message from God in Malachi 2:1-4, addressing the priests specifically. God has expectations for the priests and the consequences of their actions are delved into in several crucial sections of the passage.
Firstly, in verse 1, Malachi conveys God’s command for the priests to listen and take to heart His instruction. The priests were expected to uphold a higher standard of conduct and obedience to God’s will as spiritual leaders entrusted with guiding the people on matters of faith and righteousness. God expects the priests to be attentive to His word and act accordingly by emphasizing the need to listen and pay attention. This reiterates the importance of obedience and reverent attention to God’s teachings, qualities that are essential for anyone in a position of spiritual leadership.
Moving on to verse 2, Malachi shifts the focus to the covenant God established with the priests, highlighting the significance of the covenant as a binding agreement between God and His chosen servants. The covenant with the priests was a sacred pact that required them to uphold their responsibilities faithfully. Malachi underscores the gravity of the priests’ role and the consequences of failing to honor their obligations by reminding them of the covenant. This serves as a powerful reminder that God’s covenants are not to be taken lightly, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and commitment in relationships with God. Malachi highlights the consequences of the priests’ disobedience and failure to honor their covenant with God in verse 3. He describes how God will curse their blessings, demonstrating the severe repercussions of their actions. This serves as a warning that neglecting their duties as priests will lead to a loss of God’s favor and blessings. The priests’ actions not only affect their individual standing with God but also have broader implications for the community they serve. This reinforces the principle that disobedience and neglect of one’s duties will result in negative consequences, underscoring the importance of faithfulness and integrity.
Lastly, verse 4 addresses the specific issue of the priests’ deviation from their calling to be messengers of truth and righteousness. Instead of upholding their role as spiritual guides, the priests are portrayed as causing others to stumble in their faith. This highlights the detrimental impact of spiritual leaders who fail to lead by example and instead lead others astray. The priests were meant to be sources of wisdom and spiritual guidance, yet their actions were tarnishing their own reputation and undermining the trust of those they were meant to lead. Malachi 2:1-4 emphasizes the importance of obedience, faithfulness, and integrity in fulfilling one’s spiritual duties, serving as a powerful reminder of the expectations God has for His chosen servants. It also underscores the consequences of neglecting one’s responsibilities and the detrimental impact it can have on both individual believers and the community as a whole. This passage resonates with broader biblical themes of accountability, faithfulness, and the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding others towards righteousness.
Malachi 2:5-9
Several key sections stand out in Malachi 2:5-9 that merit closer examination. “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.” (Malachi 2:5)
This verse speaks of a covenant of life and peace made with Levi by God. Levi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and was the ancestor of the priestly tribe of Levi. Throughout the Bible, we see the importance of honoring and respecting the covenant with God. The priests, as descendants of Levi, were entrusted with the responsibility to teach the people God’s laws, offer sacrifices, and maintain a pure worship. This verse underscores the necessity for reverence and awe towards God, especially by those in positions of authority and leadership within the religious community. This respect for the covenant and fear of God’s name were meant to be exemplified through the actions and attitudes of the priests, setting an example for the rest of the Israelites.
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“True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.” (Malachi 2:6)
This section emphasizes the qualities expected from the priests in their role as spiritual leaders. They were to speak God’s truth faithfully, without distorting or manipulating it. The priests were to be models of righteous living, walking in peace and uprightness before God and people. Their actions were meant to inspire others to turn away from sin and towards God. This verse highlights the impact that faithful and authentic leadership can have on a community, as people are drawn to righteousness when shown a genuine example of it. -
“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.” (Malachi 2:7)
The priests were not only responsible for offering sacrifices and maintaining the temple rituals but also for imparting knowledge and spiritual guidance to the people. They were seen as messengers of God, entrusted with the task of teaching God’s laws and truths to the community. This verse underscores the weight of the priest’s role and the importance of preserving and sharing God’s knowledge faithfully. Those in positions of spiritual authority have a sacred duty to accurately convey God’s teachings and provide guidance to those seeking it. -
“But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 2:8)
Here, the rebuke from God is directed towards the priests who had deviated from their God-given duties. Instead of upholding the covenant with Levi and faithfully instructing the people in God’s ways, they had led many astray with their teachings and actions. This verse illustrates the severe consequences of spiritual leaders failing in their responsibilities and the detrimental impact it can have on the faith community. It serves as a cautionary reminder that those entrusted with spiritual leadership must act with integrity and faithfulness, as their influence can either draw people closer to God or lead them away from Him. Malachi 2:5-9 serves as a poignant reminder of the expectations and responsibilities placed on spiritual leaders within the community of believers. The verses highlight the importance of reverence, authenticity, knowledge preservation, and faithful instruction in the role of priests and leaders. It also underscores the potential consequences of failing to uphold these duties, emphasizing the significant impact that spiritual leadership can have on the spiritual health of the community. This passage encourages reflection on the ways in which we, as believers, can strive to honor God in our roles and responsibilities, whether in leadership positions or as followers seeking guidance and instruction.
Malachi 2:10-12
The prophet addresses a serious issue that was prevalent among the Israelites during his time in Malachi 2:10-12. Let’s break down this verse into three important sections for detailed commentary:
- “Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?”
This section emphasizes the oneness of the Israelites as a chosen people, all having one Father (God) who created them. The covenant referred to here is the covenant God made with their ancestor Abraham. This covenant promised a multitude of descendants and a land for them to inhabit (Genesis 12:1-3). The Israelites were not only breaking their covenant with each other but also dishonoring their relationship with God by being unfaithful to one another. This violation of trust and integrity was a serious offense in the eyes of God, who values faithfulness and righteousness.
- “Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.”
This section addresses the specific issue of intermarriage with people who worshiped foreign gods, which was a major concern because it led to idolatry and the corruption of the worship of the one true God. Interfaith marriages were forbidden in the Law of Moses to prevent the Israelites from being swayed to worship other gods (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The men of Judah were not only disobeying God’s commandments but also defiling the sanctity of the sanctuary in Jerusalem by marrying women who worshiped foreign gods. Their actions were seen as a betrayal to their faith and a desecration of the holy place of worship.
- May the Lord remove the man who does this, whoever he may be, from the tents of Jacob—even though he brings an offering to the Lord Almighty. Those who engage in such intermarriages and dishonor the covenant between God and His people face a severe consequence in this final section. The idea of being removed from the tents of Jacob signifies being cut off from the community of believers, as in the case of someone who is expelled from the Israelite camp due to impurity (Numbers 5:1-4). Even if a person brings offerings to the Lord, their actions and attitudes towards God and His covenant are what truly matter. This serves as a warning that external acts of worship are meaningless if they are not accompanied by a sincere heart and obedience to God’s commands (Isaiah 29:13). Malachi 2:10-12 delivers a powerful message about the importance of faithfulness, honor, and obedience in maintaining the covenant relationship with God. The prophet’s words serve as a reminder to the people of Israel to remain true to their faith and to uphold the sanctity of their worship. The consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience are severe, emphasizing the need for true repentance and dedication to God in all aspects of life.
Malachi 2:13-16
The prophet in Malachi 2:13-16 addresses the Israelites’ unfaithfulness to God through the breakdown of their marriages. Let’s break down these verses into important sections for a more in-depth commentary.
- “Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. The prophet in this section is critiquing the Israelites for their insincerity and hypocrisy in their worship practices. Despite outward displays of piety and emotion, such as flooding the altar with tears, God sees through their façade. The people are upset that their offerings are not receiving God’s favor, but they fail to realize that their own spiritual and moral shortcomings are the root cause of this lack of acceptance.
This message is timeless as it serves as a reminder that true worship goes beyond mere rituals and outward displays of devotion. God looks at the heart of the worshipper. Jesus quotes Isaiah in Matthew 15:8-9, saying, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” This emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and obedience in worship.
- “You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.” – Malachi 2:14
The prophet continues to address the Israelites’ unfaithfulness, specifically in their marriages. He points out that their mistreatment of their spouses is a form of unfaithfulness not only to their partners but also to the covenant they made before God. The reference to the “wife of your youth” highlights the sanctity and permanence of marriage in God’s eyes. The Bible often depicts marriage as a sacred union ordained by God. Husbands in Ephesians 5:25 are urged to love their wives as Christ loved the church, sacrificially and unconditionally. This verse underscores the parallel between human marriage relationships and the relationship between Christ and the church, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and love in marriage.
- “Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.” – Malachi 2:15
Here, the prophet underscores God’s intention for marriage to produce godly offspring. The union of a man and a woman in marriage is designed not only for companionship and mutual support but also for the raising of children who are brought up in the ways of the Lord. Infidelity and broken marriages can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the couple themselves but also their children’s spiritual well-being.
This verse highlights the importance of faithfulness, not only for the sake of the marriage itself but also for the future generations. Proverbs 22:6 instructs parents to “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” This underscores the vital role of parents, especially in providing a godly example through their own actions and relationships.
- “For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. God makes clear His stance on divorce and violence in the final verse. God hates divorce because it goes against the permanence and sacredness of the marital covenant. The mention of covering oneself with violence suggests that mistreatment or cruelty towards one’s spouse is equally abhorrent to God. The call to “guard yourself in your spirit” is a warning against allowing one’s innermost thoughts and desires to lead to actions that break faith with one’s spouse.
This declaration against divorce is in line with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19:6, where he reaffirms God’s intended design for marriage: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” This statement underscores the seriousness with which God views the marriage covenant and the importance of upholding it with faithfulness and love. Malachi 2:13-16 serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of faithfulness, both in our relationships with one another and in our relationship with God. The prophet’s words challenge us to examine our hearts, ensure our worship is sincere, and prioritize faithfulness, love, and commitment in our marriages. The principles highlighted in these verses remain relevant today, emphasizing the enduring importance of integrity, loyalty, and God-honoring relationships in our lives.
Malachi 2:17
The prophet Malachi speaks on behalf of God in Malachi 2:17, questioning the people of Israel who have wearied the Lord with their words. The people are seen as questioning the justice of God, asking where is the God of justice when the wicked prosper? This questioning reveals a lack of faith and understanding among the Israelites.
Commentary:
This section highlights the recurring theme throughout the Bible of God’s justice and faithfulness. The people of Israel, like many individuals throughout history, struggle with believing in the justice of God when they see the wicked seemingly prospering while the righteous suffer. It speaks to the challenge of maintaining faith during difficult times and trusting in God’s timing and ultimate justice. This passage serves as a reminder that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His justice will ultimately prevail, even if it may not seem obvious in the present moment.
The Book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and serves as a powerful conclusion to the prophetic writings. Malachi addresses the priests and the people of Israel, calling them to repentance, fidelity, and renewal of their covenant relationship with God. Throughout the book, God’s love for His people is evident, even amidst their unfaithfulness. This verse in Malachi 2:17 serves as a call to the people to trust in God’s justice, even when it may not be immediately visible to them. Similar themes echoed in other passages are seen in the larger context of the Bible. For example, in Psalm 73, the psalmist grapples with the prosperity of the wicked but ultimately finds peace in God’s presence and realizes that their end will be destruction. This serves as a parallel to the sentiment expressed in Malachi 2:17, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God’s justice and not being swayed by the temporary success of the wicked. Believers should remain steadfast in their faith, even when faced with challenges or apparent injustices, as Malachi 2:17 serves as a poignant reminder. It calls for a deeper trust in God’s character and His ultimate plan for justice and redemption.
After Malachi 2
The people had turned away from God and His ways. They had become unfaithful in their marriages and in their worship. The Lord called them to repent and return to Him. Malachi knew the people’s hearts were hardened as he delivered this message. But he also knew that God’s love and mercy were greater than their sin. The final words of this chapter point to a future hope – a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.
This promise of a Messiah would be the focus of the next chapter. The people needed to hear this good news, for only in the Lord could they find true restoration and peace.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.