Malachi 2:6

My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. He describes the promises, and also the conditions of the covenant; Levi's observance of the conditions and the consequent reward (cf. Numbers 25:11-4, Phinehas' zeal); and, on the other hand, the violation of the conditions, and consequent punishment of the present priests. MY COVENANT WAS WITH HIM OF LIFE AND PEACE - "life" here includes the perpetuity implied in Numbers 25:13, "He shall have ... the covenant of an everlasting priesthood." "Peace" is specified both here and there (Numbers 25:12, "Behold, I give unto him...

He explains mote fully how Levi responded to God’s command, — that he had _the law of truth in his mouth_. The chief duty of a priest is to show the right way of living to the people; for however upright and holy one may be through his whole life, he is not on that account to be deemed a priest. Hence our Prophet dwells especially on this point — that Levi taught the people. He does not speak of Levi himself; for we know that Levi was dead when Aaron was made a priest. For God does not here speak of individuals, but of the tribe; as though he had said, “Aaron and Eleazar, and those who followed them, knew for what end they were honored with the priesthood, and they faithfully performed their duties.” The Prophet now explains what God mainly requires from priests — to show to the people, as I have already said, the way of living a pious and holy life; but he adopts different words, which...

1-9 What is here said of the covenant of priesthood, is true of the covenant of grace made with all believers, as spiritual priests. It is a covenant of life and peace; it assures all believers of all happiness, both in this world and in that to come. It is an honour to God's servants to be employed as his messengers. The priest's lips should not keep knowledge from his people, but keep it for them. The people are all concerned to know the will of the Lord. We must not only consult the written word, but desire instruction and advice from God's messengers, in the affairs of our souls. Ministers must exert themselves to the utmost for the conversion of sinners; and even among those called Israelites, there are many to be turned from iniquity. Those ministers, and those only, are likely to turn men from sin, who preach sound doctrine, and live holy lives according to the Scripture. Many de...

Verse Malachi 2:6. _THE LAW OF TRUTH WAS IN HIS MOUTH_] See the qualifications of Levi: 1. "He feared me;" he was my sincere worshipper. 2. "He was afraid;" he acted as in the presence of a _just_ and holy God, and acted _conscientiously_ in all that he did. 3. "My law of truth was ever in his mouth; " by this he directed his own conduct and that of others. 4. "No iniquity; " nothing contrary to justice and equity ever proceeded "from his lips." 5. "He walked with me in peace;" he lived in such a way as to keep up union with me. 6. "He did turn many away from iniquity;" by his upright administration, faithful exhortations, and pious walk, he became the instrument of converting many sinners. This character suits every genuine minister of God. And as the priest's _lips_ should preserve knowledge, so the _people_ shou

THE LAW OF TRUTH WAS IN HIS MOUTH - Apart from those cases, which were brought to the priests at the tabernacle (Deuteronomy 17:9; Deuteronomy 19:17 (add Deuteronomy 21:5; Ezekiel 44:23), hence, the use of אלהים Exodus 21:6; Exodus 22:7.), in which their voice was the voice of God through them, to teach the law was part of the office both of the priest and Levite. Of the priest God says;...

EXPOSITION MALACHI 2:1 _§ 4. For these derelictions of duty the priests are threatened with punishment._ MALACHI 2:1 THIS COMMANDMENT. The threat or announcement is called a commandment, because God ordains it and imposes its execution on certain instruments. (For the expression, camp. Leviticus 25:21.) The threat is contained in Malachi 2:2, Malachi 2:3. MALACHI 2:2

THE LAW OF TRUTH WAS IN HIS MOUTH,.... The Gospel, the word and doctrine of truth; which comes from the God of truth; is concerning Christ the truth and men are guided into it by the Spirit of truth; it contains most glorious truths, and nothing but truth: and this was in the mouth of Christ, being put there by his Father, who gave him what he should say, and what he should speak; and which was preached by him in the most faithful manner, and so as it never was by any other, for which he was abundantly qualified: AND INIQUITY WAS NOT FOUND IN HIS LIPS; there was none in his nature; nor in his heart; nor in his life; nor in his lips; none could be found there by men nor devils: there was no falsehood in his doctrines; no deceit in his promises; no dissimulation in his expressions of love to men; nothing vain, light, frothy, and unprofitable, dropped from him in common conversation; no re...

THE REBUKE OF THE PRIESTS CHAPTER 1:6-2:9 The priests, the religious leaders of the people, are described first in their evil ways, and rebuked. But the rebuke includes the entire people, for it is true, “like priests like people.” The Lord called Israel to be His firstborn son, and therefore, nationally, He is their Father. He is the Lord, and Israel called to be His servant. But they had not honored Him, as a son should honor the father by obedience; they did not fear Him, but despised His Name. This charge brought forth from the side of the priests another brazen statement, the result of their hypocritical self-righteousness. They answered back, demanding proof of the charge by saying, “Wherein have we despised Thy Name?” They seemed to be hardened in their consciences, though they kept up outward appearances. Such, too, is the religious condition in much of Christendom. Another char...

MALACHI 1:6 TO MALACHI 2:16. ISRAEL'S DISREGARD OF THIS LOVE. This section falls into two parts, one dealing with the priesthood (Malachi 1:6 to Malachi 2:9), the other with the people (Malachi 2:10). Yahweh has not received the honour due to a father from a son, or to a master from a servant. The priests (note the sudden application, Malachi 1:6) have brought His service into contempt by offering polluted bread (an archaic expression for sacrificial flesh) upon His altar. They bring

IN HIS MOUTH: i.e. for teaching. AND INIQUITY. Hebrew. _'aval._ App-44. FROM INIQUITY, Hebrew. _avah._ App-44....