Malachi
2 reminds me of my pastor teaching about being a Christian man. He
said, “Do not misunderstand, meekness is not weakness”. I had an
image of Christians being passive and timid. It was not until he
described meekness as being like a powerful stallion, under the
control of a skilled rider. I understood that maximum performance in
most sports requires controlled power. Unrestrained aggression is
destructive to winning. Today’s chapter makes it clear that
sometimes peace requires violent action under God’s control. The
chapter begins, “you priests,
this warning is for you… if you do not resolve to honor My Name…
I will curse your blessings“.
He is addressing the corrupt Jewish leaders that were not teaching or
obeying God’s Word. We are given a vivid picture of what God
thinks of leaders that lead people astray, “I
will rebuke your descendants…
smear on your faces the dung from
your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it“.
This references the unclean innards of the animal that was removed
and dumped outside the city before the sacrifice was offered. A
godly man identifies the temptations in his life and puts strong
barriers in place. Can you identify the unclean things in your life?
Next
we are told of God’s covenant with Levi, “a
covenant of life and peace“.
When we trace the origin of that phrase we learn it was given to
Phinehas, the priest in Numbers chapter 25. The army of Israel could
not be defeated on the battlefield, but their hearts were quickly
turned away from honoring God through lust. The men of Israel were
being seduced by the pagan women and even began worshipping false
idols. Phinehas took violent action to stop the compromise, and the
defeat of the nation was halted. Godly men defend God’s standards
with both word and deed, “True
instruction was in his mouth… walked with Me in peace and
uprightness, and
turned many from sin“.
Will you stand alone when necessary?
The
chapter closes with the subject of faithfulness. “The
lips of a priest ought
to preserve knowledge… people seek instruction from his mouth“.
I do not think this only applies to clergy. 1 Peter 2:9 says of all
believers, “You are… a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession“.
The single best way to destroy your reputation is “by
being unfaithful to
one another“. Integrity with
co-workers, unwavering support for friends in trouble, and even
patience with wayward family members can all demonstrate
faithfulness, but without question the biggest example of
faithfulness is in marriage. He says, “The
Lord
is the witness between you and the wife of your youth… do not be
unfaithful… be on your guard“.
Marriage is a symbol of the permanent bond we have in God’s
promise. But “The man who
hates and divorces his wife does
violence to the one he should protect“.
Divorce is a painful tearing apart of a union. Ephesians 5:25 says,
“Husbands, love your wives,
just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her“.
Love is an action word for men; we demonstrate our love though our
actions. Words of faith are weak without action. Friend, have you
“wearied the Lord
with your words“? Real
strength is demonstrated in the face of temptation, persecution and
adversity. When men of God refuse to act, everyone will ask, “Where
is the God of justice?” Evil
thrives in fear. To protect peace we must be ready to demonstrate
strength under godly control. Friend, Who has authority over you?