Malachi 2:1-16
“My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, and I gave them to him that he might fear Me. So he feared Me and was reverent before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity and turned many away from iniquity.” (Malachi 2:5–6, NKJV)
God’s relationship with Levi and His descendants was very special. From Levi came Moses and Aaron and all the priests. They represented God before the people and the people before God. The LORD entrusted to Levi His words of life and peace. If the people kept these words they would have peace with God, peace with one another, and eternal life. However, when Aaron’s two sons offered strange fire before the LORD and died, the priests also learned to fear God. They knew that the LORD must be regarded as holy by those who come near to Him (Leviticus 10:3). They upheld the law of truth and would not allow any unjust words to pass from their mouths. They walked with the LORD in peace and equity and turned many people away from their sins.
But in Malachi’s day the priests had turned away from the LORD and were not keeping His ways. They showed partiality in how they executed the law. Consequently, God would humble them in the eyes of the people (v. 9).
How do we apply these things today? There is no longer a Levitical priesthood or temple where they minister. According to the book of Hebrews, we now have Jesus Christ as our High Priest, and He serves in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:5-6). We who believe are a universal priesthood.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV)
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:5b–6, NKJV)
The Lord has made a covenant of life and peace with us, but we must choose to live according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh (Romans 8:5-6). God has written His Word upon our hearts and helps our conversation to be full of grace and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). He helps us to turn others away from their sins and to guide them in the way of truth (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20). But we must abide in Christ so that we may bear much fruit (John 15:5). We must abide in His Word so that we may be His disciples indeed (John 8:31).
“Heavenly Father, thank you that Jesus has washed us from our sins in His own blood and made us kings and priests to you. Help us serve you with integrity and bring life and peace to others. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”