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. 1. The Threat of Curse (vv. 1-3)  Read Mal 2:1-2.  Here in this passage, Malachi continues to address the priests. ~ More is expected from those who have the responsibility of leading and teaching the people.  God now issues the threat or warning of a curse upon them. ~ an implicit warning for the priests to be more diligent in fulfilling their obligations

3.  The first thing they are failing to do is “listen” (see v. 2a). ~ Hebrew verb for “listen” – “hear, listen, (then) obey” ~ But to be able to obey after you listen will require taking what you hear to heart – which is really part of true listening. ~ “take it to heart” – indicates an attitude of caring about or taking seriously or understanding things of God

4.  God may be denouncing the absence of two things: obedience obedience caring about what their attitude is caring about what their attitude is ~ Because of this, God’s name was not being honored.  The highest purpose of the priests of Malachi’s day – as it is of any Christian ministry and any Christian life today – was to glorify God.

5.  “The Hebrew word for ‘glory’ denotes first all of the weight, or sheer gravity, of God’s presence; the presence that defined His importance and the respect He was owed. Accordingly, ‘glory’ was not so much the renown that had been achieved as the real value a person carried because of who he was and what he had done. Only secondarily did ‘glory’ refer to the effects of God’s presence, such as the outshining and effulgence of His person.” (TPC)

6.  “to give glory to [His] name”: IT IS, FIRST OF ALL, TO TREAT WITH PROFOUND IMPORTANCE, WITH INDESCRIBABLE SERIOUSNESS, WITH IMMEASURABLE REVERENCE THE PRESENCE AND PERSON OF GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING GOD FOR WHO HE TRULY IS; the exaltation, the worship, the magnifying of who He is, the expressions of adoration and devotion come, secondly, only as an inevitable result.

7.  God’s “name” is the summation of all that He is in His person, attributes, reputation, will, doctrine, commands and ethical teaching. ~ God’s name had been disgraced.  Because of this, God threatened them with a curse, and actually did curse them (Mal 2:2c-e). ~ The result of their disobedience is a destructive curse (cf. Deut 28:15ff).

8.  The object of the curse is the “blessings” of the priests. ~ This could very well mean a reversal of their blessings, like e.g., their portion in the offerings, (Lev 6:6-18; 7:6-10). ~ Recall Hag 1:5-7, 9. ~ It could also refer to the function of the priests to pronounce God’s blessing on the people (e.g., Num 6:23-26), but these will become curses.

9.  This curse is not only anticipated but has already arrived: “… indeed, I have cursed them already.”  God is able to turn curses into blessings (Neh 13:2)and, in this instance, blessings into curses.  God is able to turn curses into blessings (Neh 13:2) and, in this instance, blessings into curses. ~ It is painful enough when God removes His blessings from us; but when He turns those blessings into curses, it would not only be painful but frightening.

10. ~ GOD’S NAME IS VERY SERIOUS BUSINESS, AND NOTHING DEFILES AND TAINTS IT MORE THAN THE MISBEHAVIOR AND WRONGDOING OF THOSE WHOSE VERY LIVES ARE SUPPOSED TO HONOR IT.  Read Mal 2:3. ~ V. 3a ~ the priests’ own physical descendants: the subject of the curse

11.  We may ask, “Why should the descendants be rebuked for the wrong their ancestors did?” ~ The next generation, having only seen the corrupt example, would likely continue in corrupt service and worship. ~ If leaders fulfill their responsibilities faithfully, God’s people grow in their relationship to God; if leaders serve half-heartedly and unfaithfully, God’s people suffer.

12.  Read Mal 2:3b. ~ God would spread animal dung – and perhaps the entrails that remained after the priests’ sacrifices – on the faces of the priests! ~ Whether this is meant literally or (more likely) metaphorically, this is a clear and public display of their disgrace and inability to carry out the sacrificial functions of their office.

13. ~ One possible application of this today is disqualification from office and service to God.  Read Mal 2:3c. ~ Now no longer able to perform their functions, which require ritual purity, the priests are expelled from the camp, just like the unclean offal.  How serious the effects of having a low regard for the ministry because of a low regard for God are!