GOD’S REBUKE OF THE PRIESTS
Malachi 2:1-10
INTRODUCTION
Everything rises and falls on leadership. Yet the truth is, everyone is a leader in Christian circles. Because a leader is one who influences others.
The priests, of all people, should have been faithful to God.
1. Guaranteed job for life
2. Guaranteed wage
3. The highest calling
4. The most secure job available
THEME: GOD HAS TO REBUKE AND CONDEMN US BECAUSE OF:
I. OUR UNBELIEF THAT LEADS TO DISOBEDIENCE 2:1-3
A. God Issued A Commandment vs. 1
1. Decree (as sent out by a king)
2. Resolution
3. Sentence. (as by a judge)
4. Announcement of a coming catastrophe
5. It was not given to them but in regard to them
B. God Gave Them A Chance vs. 2
1. If you will not hear
2. If you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name
NOTE: “Glory to my name” – six times in sixteen verses
NOTE: To give glory to God is the end and aim of the priesthood
3. Failure to repent means:
a. Your blessing will become a curse
NOTE: He did not say He would send curses instead of blessings
b. When what you have is used to God’s glory it will be a blessing: When used for self glory and pride it will be a curse
C. God Named Their Punishment vs. 3
1. “I will corrupt your seed”
a. The produce of the ground
NOTE: The seed obeys the Lord better than men do
b. Leviticus 26:16b “Ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it”
2. “I will spread dung upon your faces”
a. The entrails or insides of sacrificed animals
b. This and the hide are burned outside the camp Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 8:17, 16:27
NOTE: One shall take you away with it
c. The priests will suffer the same fate as the refuse of the sacrifice: Separated from the community and destroyed
NOTE: (Honor me, I will honor – despise me will be lightly esteemed)
THEME: GOD HAD TO REBUKE AND CONDEMN THE PRIESTS BECAUSE OF:
I. THEIR UNBELIEF THAT LED TO DISOBEDIENCE
II. WHICH LED TO CORRUPT TEACHING 2:4-8
A. The Ministry Of Levi 4-7
NOTE: Ye shall know that I have sent …
1. It was of life and peace vs. 5
a. Because Levi reverenced God
b. Because Levi honored God’s name
2. The law of truth was in his mouth
NOTE: cf. Proverbs 31:26; Hebrews 12:14; Romans 12:18; II Corinthians 13:11; Matthew 5:9
3. Iniquity was not found in his lips
4. He walked with me in peace and equity
a. Walked with me, not after me
b. Equity – Our tendency is to ignore God and be afraid of men and what they will think of us
5. The result: Many did turn away from iniquity Daniel 12:3
6. Because (vs. 7)
a. The priest keeps knowledge Proverbs 1:7
b. The priest speaks the law
c. Because he is of God’s spokesman
B. The Ministry Of These Priests vs. 8
1. Departed from the way
a. They didn’t live it
b. They taught by example how to break it
NOTE: Ye are departed out of the way
a. Commences with a tendency
b. Continues with carelessness
c. Culminates in a habit
2. Caused many to stumble
a. The priests were not concerned in the least about their sinful actions, let alone the sins that were robbing the people of peace with God
NOTE: A cheap religion is always a cheat religion
b. If we fall we drag others down and have to bear a part of their sins
c. They kept not the ways of the Lord, yet they saw not need to return
NOTE: 14th Century writer: There are many priests and few priests; many in name, few in deed. See then, how ye sit on your thrones: for the throne maketh not the priest, but the priest the throne: the place sanctifieth not the man, but the man the place.
THEME: GOD HAD TO REBUKE AND CONDEMN THE PRIEST BECAUSE OF:
I. THEIR UNBELIEF THAT LED TO DISOBEDIENCE
II. WHICH LED TO CORRUPT TEACHING
III. AND LED TO PARTIALITY IN DISPENSING THE LAW 2:9-10
A. Because Of Their Actions God Made Them Despised And Abased Before All The People vs. 9
1. They despised the Lord 1:6
2. They despised the sacrifice 1:7, 12
3. Now they reaped what they sowed
NOTE: As ye have not kept my ways
B. Because They Dealt Treacherously vs. 10
1. By sinning against a weaker brother I Corinthians 8:12
2. God speaks of the sin as affecting those who did not commit it
3. Why do we deal treacherously?
NOTE: Definition – deceit, betrayal
CONCLUSION
The “older brothers” became:
1. Stumbling blocks by bringing down the nation by their behavior and treacherous teaching
2. By stifling the spiritual growth of the weaker
IF WE REFUSE TO BE TAUGHT BY PRECEPT, THEN WE WILL BE TAUGHT BY PUNISHMENT.
Sermons And Lessons From The Old Testament 