June 27 - Malachi 2

June 27 - Malachi 2:1-16

In Numbers 6:22-27, Aaron was given a blessing that the Levites were to pronounce upon the people of Israel. Because of their actions, the Lord said that He would curse their blessings. Because their hearts were so out of whack, things were already cursed. He says in Malachi 3:4 that He is admonishing them so that He can purify the priesthood once again. The priests are to have a higher calling so that they can lead and teach the people of God.

The teachings of the priests had caused many to stumble and they violated the covenant that God made with Levi which is found in Number 18:7-8, 19-21. For the work that the tribe of Levi did in the temple in the name of God, they would receive portions of the offerings and a portion of all the tithes from the tribes of Israel.

The third oracle or prophecy is found in Malachi 2:10-16. It begins with three questions. The first two deal with their relationship with the one God, but the last question sets the stage for the followup remarks. These people had acted treacherously in their relationships with each other.

Intermarriage with pagans had been a huge problem among the Israelites since they had returned from exile. Ezra 9:1-2, 10-12 and Nehemiah 13:23-27 both spoke of the problem. The pagan women that were coming into the community were bringing with them worship of foreign idols. Not only were the Israelite men marrying foreign women, but many were divorcing their Israelite wives to do this. And God had been the witness for those unions.

They didn't understand why the Lord wouldn't accept their offerings, so Malachi had to spell it out for them. And some of the strongest language in the Old Testament regarding divorce is used here. "I hate divorce" says the Lord God. In the case of these Israelite men, they were setting aside everything that the Covenant had called for them to do so that they could have whatever it was that they desired.

Guard yourself ... in your spirit ... and do not break faith.