Warning to the Priests

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Warning to the Priests

Date: Jun. 27, 2021

Passage

Malachi 2:1-9 (ESV)

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 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:7

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.

1. A broken covenant (1-5)

Malachi had a message from the Lord for the priests. The message was a warning that the priests must listen to the Lord Almighty and to honor his name. The priests were the spiritual leaders of the Israelites. They were to lead people to the Lord. Thus, they needed to listen to the Lord. They needed to honor the Lord Almighty. But they did not. The Lord had made a covenant with Levi. But now the priests would be under a curse.

2. The priests had caused many to stumble (6-9)

These verses contrast what God expected from Levi with what he was getting from the priests. The Lord made a covenant with Levi. They walked in peace and uprightness and turned many people away from sin. The Lord wanted his priests to uphold knowledge of the Lord and to be his messengers. But the priests in Malachi's time turned away from the Lord and showed partiality to certain people. So, the Lord made the priests to be despised and humiliated.

Prayer: Father, help me to be your messenger. Bless my lips to preserve your knowledge.

One Word: Walk with God in peace and uprightness.

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references