The Messenger of the Lord Malachi 2:7

Malachi the prophet wrote the words of the Lord concerning the Levites who were the priestly tribe within the nation of Israel, and their example of devotion and respect for the things of God was commended. They were given “life and peace” because they reverence the Lord and truth was in their mouths. Because no iniquity was found in their lips, they turned many from their iniquity, and they served as an example before the nation of Israel. In Malachi chapter two and verse four we see the Lord's expectations of the messengers of the Lord where we read:

For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

The verse begins, “For the priest's lips should keep knowledge,...” The first quality that should be found in a priest is – his “lips should keep knowledge” which means “guard, observe, and give heed” to “perception, skill, discernment and understanding”. Let us be sure to acknowledge the Lord's choice of the word “should” which implies that this is not always the case.

The verse goes on to say, “and they should seek the law at his mouth:” The second trait of the priests should be to “seek” which means to “require, desire, exact, or request” “the law at his mouth” which refers to the “law” of God. Regardless of what they find in the law both simple and difficult, the priests of God were to “desire” it with everything they said.

Finally the verse says, “for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” The reason the priests were to “keep knowledge” and “seek the law” was because they were considered “the messenger” which means “representative or angel” “of the LORD of hosts”. Whenever priests were proper representatives concerning the matters of the LORD, the people would generally follow. However, if the priests did not “keep knowledge” and forsook seeking “the law”, people would be drawn away from the Lord. We shall discover this is exactly what happened to the nation of Israel.

The idea behind this verse was to demonstrate to the nation of Israel the proper behavior of the priests of God. If we put ourselves in the positions of these priests, would we be deemed as those who “keep knowledge” and “seek the law”? Are other people affected by our lives and drawn to the Lord, or are they distanced from Him because of our behavior and words? As we ponder Malachi's words, perhaps we should allow the “LORD of hosts” to work within us the desires He had for His priests, and as He does, others will be affected and turn to the Lord Jesus because of our words and deeds.

Next time we see the contrast of the nation of Israel to the Levites, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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