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. 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.

Malachi 2:1-9

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. 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. Malachi 2:6-7

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book as my focus remains Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. Today my focus is a review of Malachi 2:1-9, which continues from the past couple of days where God admonished the priesthood for its failure to point God's people to Himself with proper worship for the One True God.  God's message to the priesthood is pointed and it includes a promise (God does not make empty threats) to the priesthood should they not listen or take His message and command to heart (vv1-2a).  V2b shares how God has already cursed them because of their sin so far.  V3 describes God's very graphic punishment seems to imply that God sought to bring shame and guilt to the priesthood by spreading dung in their faces - the very dung from their imperfect offerings (see posts from past couple of days).  God's wrath will also reach down to the offspring of the priesthood - a very clear message that God does not trust the leadership to rise up and disciple Godly children to be the next generation of priests.  God's wrath also shares how the priesthood will be taken away - implying at the very least that they will be removed from their role, but likely much more harsh, perhaps exiled in some form.  V4, it appears, summarizes how God sought to deliver this message to the priesthood with an eye towards maintaining His covenant with the tribe of Levi - the traditional priesthood. God then shares this covenant with the tribe of Levi in vv5-6 and how the priesthood of Levi kept is promise to fear God and to be in awe of Him.  His instruction and speech was true...he lived peacefully and righteously and "turned many from" sin. V7 reminds us of the awesome responsibility of the priesthood to guard knowledge (from being polluted by false teaching), such that it can be used for the benefit of others who seek God's Word.  V8 then returns to God's view of the priesthood that they failed to do what He sought and "caused many to stumble by [their] instruction" and "corrupted the covenant of Levi."  The text for today concludes with v9 which shares how God makes the Levitical priesthood "despised and abased before all the people."  Such a punishment foreshadows how Jesus will ultimately become our great High Priest although he is from the tribe of Judah.  For believers this is certainly a wake up call and reminder for those in positions of responsibility, not just pastors, but also parents who are called to train and disciple their children in the Word and ways of God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You for my salvation and the blessings You continue to pour out every morning and that never cease.  Thank You for putting Godly leadership in my path to point me to You.  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.”

 Haggai 1:13

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.”  Haggai 1:13

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:13, which is the first subdivision of 1:13-15 and the title of this subdivision from the commentary is The Messenger of the Lord Delivered the Message of the Lord.  This one verse clearly communicates two things: (1) Haggai is a messenger of the Lord, appointed for a specific purpose - to deliver His words to God's people; (2) God's message first and foremost is one of encouragement - that He is with us.  On this latter point, we should recognize the disobedience of God's people and God - full of grace and love for His people - wanted unity with His people but this could only be through repentance, which the people then offered (see verse 12).  While much text is brought to mind that emphasizes the same message, Luke 15:11-31 and the story of the Prodigal Son most prominently comes to mind.   Key excerpts from the commentary for 1:13:

• God appoints fallible humans such as prophets and pastors to deliver His message to us - we should understand that these people are divinely appointed and the message is from God both are linked.  
• "While the messenger is not God Himself, the messenger represents God, he speaks for God, if you will. In fact, the word messenger is translated across Scripture in other contexts as “angel,” “envoy,” or “ambassador.” It conveys the idea that the messengers have no inherent authority or truth in and of themselves, but they are to be listened to and honored because they carry the weight of the One who sent them. What’s more, when they convey the message, they convey a message that is not their own, but a message that comes from God Himself."
• Pastors must recognize as well that they are stewards of God's words and not take this lightly nor stray outside of God's desire and intent for the task given to him. He should not add or subtract from the message. Any messenger or pastor should be very intimate with the message being delivered - for example a sermon on any given text. Humility is key - messengers and pastors must focus on God not on themselves and their motives or desires. 
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a God full of grace and compassion - welcoming me back when I sin which I know is daily and You offer mercies anew every morning that never cease....thank You Jesus!  Of course I am undeserving and I know it.  Please forgive me today and every day for both sins of commission and omission.  Help me turn from such sin and overcome it and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.