When Your Hero Becomes A Zero Series

“When Your Hero Becomes a Zero” Malachi Series Pt. 4 July 7, 2013

Introduction

A In Malachi, the first group of offenders God addresses are the priests.

Malachi 1:6 (NASB) 6 " 'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Your name?'

Malachi 2:1 (NASB) 1 "And now this commandment is for you, O priests.

1 The priests in Israel had gone bad, became a part of the problem.

a They were allowing people to bring bad sacrifices.

b Not listening to God, not respecting God/God’s name.

Malachi 2:2 (NASB) 2 "If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name," says the LORD of hosts, "then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart.

aa “Take to heart” is an attitude position of caring or understanding things of God.

bb Malachi 2:7-8 (NASB) 7 "For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 8 "But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi," says the LORD of hosts.

Not just ill-prepared, incompetent, shepherds. (Bad enough) Worse to have schemer, wolf in sheep’s clothing for a leader.

2 Malachi is declaring how bad leadership causes “bad” fellowship. (The priesthood had spoilt and corrupted a nation.)

a Why did it happen & what results happened because of it?

b We’ll find out the answers with this nine verses.

c Malachi 2:1-9 (NASB) 1 "And now this commandment is for you, O priests. 2 "If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name," says the LORD of hosts, "then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart. 3 "Behold, I am going to rebuke your offspring, and I will spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 "Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi," says the LORD of hosts. 5 "My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. 6 "True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity. 7 "For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 8 "But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi," says the LORD of hosts. 9 "So I also have made you despised and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction.

B Pray.

I The covenant of the priesthood.

Malachi 2:4-7 (NASB) 4 "Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi," says the LORD of hosts. 5 "My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. 6 "True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity. 7 "For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

A “Covenant” in the ANE are “treaties/contracts” in our vernacular.

1 The agreement lists what each party can expect from one another.

a A covenant carried promises of blessing if kept & threat of curse if not kept.

b (IL) Jeep. (Pay: keep my jeep, credit score goes up / Don’t pay: lose my ride, won’t get anymore loans.)

2 In vs.5 God clearly states what He expected from Levi & his descendant’s ministries.