Malachi 2:1-9
2 “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. 4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts. 5 My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. 6 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. 7 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. 8 But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”
Questions:
1. This passage can be divided into 3 sections. What short description (title) would you give each section?
2. What do you understand about why it is so important for God to have people honour His name, which could also be stated as why is it good for people that God is jealous for His glory?
3. Why do you think God's punishment for the priests and their offspring is so shocking? As the priests of the new covenant, how does it make you feel about your personal responsibility to honour God's name seriously? (see 1 Pet 4:17; Rev 2:5 & 3:19; 1 Cor 11:32-35). In what ways do we honour God's name?
4. If verses 4-7 describe the perfect priest, what does it tell us about what is important to God when it comes to being His representatives? How is Jesus the perfect example of this priest? What does Hebrews 6:19 - 7:28 tell us about Jesus' priesthood compared to the Levitical priesthood?
5. What do verses 6-9 tell us about our how we, as the priests of the new covenant, should handle God's word? Do you think it applies only to the teachers of the church or do you think it applies to everyone? (Consider Col 3:16-17 & 4:5-6; 1 Pet 3:15)
