Unfaithful Priests

(Malachi 2:1-9)

Malachi finishes his prophecy concerning sacrifices and quickly turns to the unfaithful priests. God depends on the priests to teach truth and call His people to faithfulness. Malachi puts it this way..."True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty." (Vv 6, 7)
Discouragement had infected the priesthood! And when the leaders are discouraged, the people are not far behind. God tells them that they are the source of problems that His people are suffering. "But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble". (V 8) The priests had been given the responsibility to teach and care for God's people and they had failed to keep His covenant with them.
So what does this have to do with us? Paul put it this way in Ephesians 4... "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up". (Vv 11, 12) God still uses people to accomplish His work. He gave us preachers and teachers. He gave us evangelists. He gave us pastors. Just as in the Old Testament, God provides those that are dedicated to His teaching and administration to meet the needs of His people. Without those that teach and preach and care for us, we are "like sheep without a shepherd". We become easy prey for the "lion looking for someone to devour". (1 Peter 5:8)
In his letter to Titus, Paul gives the "qualifications" of an elder or pastor. He brings the point home very clearly..."He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." (V 9) Just like the priest of old, the elder is to teach and encourage using God's "trustworthy message". When His people hear that message, they are encouraged. When they go astray, the "trustworthy message" will refute their error.
We live in an age where God's message is preached less and less and man's wisdom is elevated to equal status with the wisdom that is from God. Who says alcoholism is a disease? (Gal 5:21, Rom 13:13, Titus 2:3)Who says that homosexuals were born that way? (1 Cor 6:9) Who says "one way is just as good as another"? (John 14:6) I will tell you.... man says it and because he says it over and over, it becomes accepted. God has already settled everything in His word. Unfortunately, the "priests" have quit teaching it. They have "turned from the way" and by their teaching "have caused many to stumble". While it might not be popular to teach God's "trustworthy" word anymore, it is the only thing that brings us wisdom and understanding. (1 Cor 2:13)
May we put aside man's wisdom and determine to hold onto the truth contained in His word. With honest and open hearts, may we begin again the journey that God has called us to, whether it is popular or not!