A Command to Truth

Read Malachi 1:6-2:9
 
Malachi 2:7 “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction - because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty.”  
 
The LORD is very unhappy with his priests. Read through the entire passage to understand the hypocrisy and disobedience within Israel’s priesthood. They are to offer the unblemished first of the flock and herds to God, but they have chosen the ill and injured animals. Their offerings would displease worldly rulers and are not worthy of the Ruler of the World. The priests’ offerings are not sacrifices, but they are rejected refuse. With self-affirmation, they ask God, “How have we shown contempt for your name?”. Is it not a habit of the human heart to plead ignorance of law when we break the law? Did the priests really think the holy God would accept such irreverent worship and overlook such disrespect? The LORD told them It would be better for them to shut the temple doors than continue to disrespect the LORD’s holy table – the altar of sacrifice and repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Are you respecting the LORD’s table?
   A key component to this passage is the power of legacy – both good and bad. The priests’ disobedience will cause God to curse their descendants. Malachi 2:2b “I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me.” The LORD then rebukes them for dishonoring Aaron’s legacy of righteousness. Remember he was Moses’ older brother who became the first high priest of Israel. Moses and Aaron were of the tribe of Levi, which is the tribe chosen to be the priests. God blessed Aaron with a very personal relationship: Malachi 2: 5 ‘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.” God’s blessing required Aaron’s reverence, his worship.
   Consider now that you, Jesus church, are called to be a priesthood of sacrificing believers: 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. God has blessed you. Your response is to be a reverent life, marked with true sacrifice to the God who has called you. You are not to give him the leftovers of your life. He requires your first and best. You are not to be a hypocrite with your words. You are to be a true priest of faithful speech and righteous life habits.
   Do you want to protect your family from evil? Then be a faithful priest of your household, your community and your church. As we considered the life of a good shepherd, a faithful priest is much the same. Speak, live and sacrifice for the LORD God. Honor his Table with your life.