1. MALACHI SERIES 3: GOD’S FIRST CHARGE OF SIN (1:6-2:9) I. GOD’S LOVE FOR JACOB (1:1-5) II. GOD’S FIRST CHARGE OF SIN (1:6-2:9) A. THE SIN OF THE PRIESTS (1:6-14) B. THE CHASTENING OF THE PRIESTS (2:1-9) 1. The Threat of Curse (vv. 1-3) 2. The Reminder of Covenant (vv. 4-9)

2. a. The character of the covenant (vv. 4-5) b. The character of the messenger (vv. 6-7) c. The contrast of the priests (vv. 8-9)  Read Mal 2:8-9.  The priests in Malachi’s day are in stark contrast to the ideal in vv. 6-7. ~ These priests sin by “turn[ing] aside from the way.”

3.  Not only do the priests of Malachi’s day corrupt themselves, they also do so to those in their charge, again in contrast to Levi. ~ See v. 6 vs. v. 8b. ~ Whereas restoration can only be by means of “true instruction” in v. 6 (cf. v. 7), here stumbling is caused “by the instruction/law.” ~ The common people stumble because of the priests’ betrayal of the law.

4. ~ They were allowing – and, thus teaching – the people to compromise the law. ~ In this sense, they “have corrupted the covenant of Levi.” ~ To corrupt a covenant is to make it ineffectual, by not fulfilling its conditions, and so forfeiting its promises. ~ The people could not keep the law rightly because they had not been properly taught how to do so.

5.  Earlier in our discussion of v. 6, we had mentioned that modeling is a teaching tool. ~ The faithful Levite priests did this. ~ This also happened following Pentecost in the life and experience of the newly born church, God’s new covenant people. ~ Acts 2:41; 43-47 ~ Titus 2:1-10

6. ~ This tells us that “sound doctrine” extends beyond preceptual teaching to daily life, since it is the inward heart as well as the outward actions that reflect our relationship with God (1Sam 16:7; Ps 51:16-17; Mic 6:8; Matt 12:34-35).  Modeling, however, also has negative implications. ~ there is no gap at all between words and deeds. ~ “integrity” – there is no gap at all between words and deeds.

7. ~ Another way the priests “have caused many to stumble by the instruction” is by scandalous example. ~ (cf. the Lord’s warnings in Matt:18:6 & Lk 17:1) ~ The consistency between word and life must characterize the life of the Israelite priest as well as that of each Christian as a member of a kingdom of priests (Ex 19:6; Rev 1:6; 1Pet 2:9).

8.  Read Mal 2:9.  The results of the gross negligence of duty are spelled out in v. 9. ~ The priests perverted the application of the law. ~ They are thus accused of not keeping to, nor in any way favoring, God’s instruction (cf. 1:8-9).

9. ~ The priests not only did not favor the law themselves, they did not show it to their congregation in a favorable light either, leading themselves and others astray.  Read Num 18:20. ~ God Himself was to have been the priests’ portion and inheritance – that was tantamount to a covenant!

10.  The priests had engaged in such moral corruption that they had lost all respect in the eyes of the people (v. 9) – and in the eyes of God. ~ Neither God nor His Word will be mocked without dreadful consequences.  THE FACT REMAINS: AS THE PREACHING OF GOD’S WORD GOES, SO GO THE LIFESTYLES OF THE PEOPLE AT LARGE.

11.  When we do not seek first God’s glory and totally love and respond to His Word, then our culture is in desperate trouble. ~ It is extremely important that those who teach remember that they are accountable not only for themselves, but also for those whom they teach. ~ It is extremely important that those who teach remember that they are accountable not only for themselves, but also for those whom they teach. ~ Jas 3:1