Messengers and Messages
Messengers and Messages Malachi 2:1-9 Rev. Neil Kulp
SUMMARY OF OFFENSES
“And now, you priests, this warning is for you.” (Vs. 1)
Further INCRIMINATION “If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me. Because of you I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 2:2-4
The Heart is the Wellspring Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
Three Reprimands from the Lord • • •
I will turn your blessings into curses I will reprove, discipline your seed, descendants I will personally bring shame to your face
The Lord’s Covenant with Levi (Nu. 3:5-10) • No territory for the tribe of Levi • Levitical priests scattered throughout Promised Land • Aaron was a High Priest during Moses’ rule • High Priest would offer up Israel’s annual sacrifices • Priests bring God to the people, and the people to God
Moses’ summary statement on Priests “But he watched over your word and guarded your covenant.
He teaches your precepts to Jacob and your law to Israel. He offers incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar. Bless all his skills, Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands.” Deut. 33:9c-11a
Israel’s priests … • •
Lacked integrity Overflowed with hypocrisy
God’s Covenant with Levi INTENDED 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. 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. 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 2:5-7
God’s Covenant with Levi INTENDED • Covenant that included Life and Peace, but required “reverence” and awe for the Lord. • Covenant that provided Truth and True Instruction, including confronting and chastising sinners. • Covenant that expected Priests to guard and preserve the integrity of God’s Word.
Further INDICTMENT from the Lord But you have turned from them the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi.” says the Lord Almighty. So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law. Malachi 2:8, 9
Further INDICTMENT from the Lord • • • •
Priests’ teaching, instruction is lacking, but so was their example. Priests had become a harmful stumbling block Priests had again violated the Covenant of Levi Priests were showing partiality
WORST OF ALL … Priests robbing the Lord • • •
The REVERENCE due His Name/Reputation The REVERENCE due His Word/Truth The REVERENCE due the Priestly Covenant
The Perfect Priest comes … The Great High Priest, Jesus Christ • Full of Grace and Truth – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 • Who brought people to God “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
The Perfect Priest comes … The Great High Priest, Jesus Christ • Sacrifice of Atonement God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Believers in Jesus Christ become Royal Priests But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
For we who are in Christ … As a Royal Priest, is the message of our lives and lips one that will bring Jesus Christ to the people and the people to Jesus Christ?
Thankfully … Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, also empowers us to honor Him. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13
SUMMARY OF OFFENSES
“And now, you priests, this warning is for you.” (Vs. 1)
Further INCRIMINATION “If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me. Because of you I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 2:2-4
The Heart is the Wellspring Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
Three Reprimands from the Lord • • •
I will turn your blessings into curses I will reprove, discipline your seed, descendants I will personally bring shame to your face
The Lord’s Covenant with Levi (Nu. 3:5-10) • No territory for the tribe of Levi • Levitical priests scattered throughout Promised Land • Aaron was a High Priest during Moses’ rule • High Priest would offer up Israel’s annual sacrifices • Priests bring God to the people, and the people to God
Moses’ summary statement on Priests “But he watched over your word and guarded your covenant.
He teaches your precepts to Jacob and your law to Israel. He offers incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar. Bless all his skills, Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands.” Deut. 33:9c-11a
Israel’s priests … • •
Lacked integrity Overflowed with hypocrisy
God’s Covenant with Levi INTENDED 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. 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. 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 2:5-7
God’s Covenant with Levi INTENDED • Covenant that included Life and Peace, but required “reverence” and awe for the Lord. • Covenant that provided Truth and True Instruction, including confronting and chastising sinners. • Covenant that expected Priests to guard and preserve the integrity of God’s Word.
Further INDICTMENT from the Lord But you have turned from them the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi.” says the Lord Almighty. So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law. Malachi 2:8, 9
Further INDICTMENT from the Lord • • • •
Priests’ teaching, instruction is lacking, but so was their example. Priests had become a harmful stumbling block Priests had again violated the Covenant of Levi Priests were showing partiality
WORST OF ALL … Priests robbing the Lord • • •
The REVERENCE due His Name/Reputation The REVERENCE due His Word/Truth The REVERENCE due the Priestly Covenant
The Perfect Priest comes … The Great High Priest, Jesus Christ • Full of Grace and Truth – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 • Who brought people to God “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
The Perfect Priest comes … The Great High Priest, Jesus Christ • Sacrifice of Atonement God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Believers in Jesus Christ become Royal Priests But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
For we who are in Christ … As a Royal Priest, is the message of our lives and lips one that will bring Jesus Christ to the people and the people to Jesus Christ?
Thankfully … Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, also empowers us to honor Him. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13
