Chapter 1 of Malachi addressed issues such as the quality and attitude which are behind the sacrifices given to God, and demonstrated that the Jews of the prophet's day failed in regard to both. As we continue in our study this week, in chapter 2, the prophet focuses on the result of God's people forgetting their covenant with the LORD – namely, carnality. When the covenant of God is set aside, the people of God become indistinguishable from those in the world.

CORRUPT PRIESTS (1-6)
Having forgotten the covenant established with their forefather Levi and the Lord, the priests failed to give glory to the name of God. In their disobedience, they made themselves subject to the curse of the Lord. God had warned in the Law, and specifically to the Levites, what the consequences of disobedience would be (Leviticus 26:14-38). There would be "...terror... disease... sorrow... plagues... wild beasts... a sword against you... pestilence... desolation..." In our immediate text, the Lord assured shame for those who were disobedient, even in the image of refuse (dung) being spread across their faces.

He then brings their attention to their forefathers, who kept the covenant, and as a result, experienced life and peace. They would do well to follow in the same manner of life, for those of old feared before the LORD, acted reverently before Him, kept the law of truth in their mouth, and no injustice, walked with the Lord and turned many from sin.

PRIESTS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE (7-9)
The prophet penned, "...the lips of a priest should keep knowledge..." This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, especially those who serve as priests, and yet those of Malachi's day did not keep God's will on their lips. They were guilty of causing the people to stumble, and failing themselves to keep the law.

Hosea spoke about the destruction of God's people in this way, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." (Hosea 4:6). How sad that those who ought to know the will of God were void of understanding and thus failed the people and the LORD.

THEY DEALT TREACHEROUSLY (10-16)
God proceeds to levy the charges against His people through the prophet. Five times in the next several verses, the LORD employs the word "treacherously" to describe the nature of the people's conduct. Generically, he speaks of their profaning the covenant; but then specifically in regard to their misuse of the marriage relationship, in part due to their intermarriages with heathen women, and also their loose dealings with regard to their wives.

Also, they were guilty of expressing their religion through emotionalism. There is nothing wrong with being emotional with in worship or service before the Lord, but those who are given to emotionalism are run by their emotions. They "...cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and crying..." (v 13). The end result, the LORD "...does not regard the offering anymore, nor receive it with good will from your hands." The LORD is happy for us to be emotional, but not controlled by emotion. We need to act in accordance with His instruction, not with our emotions.

WEARISOME WORDS TO THE LORD (17)
In two fashions, the Jews wearied the LORD. They were of the mind that all who do evil are in fact good (cf. Isaiah 5:20; Romans 3:5-8). And they questioned the justice of the LORD (ie. Ezekiel 9:9). For instance, they might jump to conclusions regarding prosperity, or poverty, or sin and judgment.

Friend, all Christians today are spoken of as priests and kings in the New Testament (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10). As the Lord's royal priesthood, we are set apart — called to be holy before the Lord. Let us follow in the example of those who did serve Him faithfully in times past, not of those who received rebuke through Malachi.

How sad when the people of God do not know the word of God. And yet such is the case more often than you might imagine. But keep in mind, it is a lack of knowledge that results in destruction for the people of God (Hosea 4:6; Hebrews 5:11-14). The Christian who is without knowledge has failed to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) and is unable to "give a defense" (1 Peter 3:15).

We need to deal with God and His law honestly, and do such things as it commands of us. The elect should uphold the integrity of marriage, and their service should be based upon the Lord's will for them, not their emotional whims. Acknowledge right for right, and wrong for wrong; and may we never question God's justice. We are not qualified (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Paul accused the Corinthians, "...I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ... for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:1, 3). Let us not behave like mere men, but as the children of God indeed. May we bring a sweet smelling aroma before the Lord, not weariness.