Malachi 2:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts.

NIV: And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,' says the LORD Almighty.

NASB: Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, so that My covenant may continue with Levi,' says the Lord of armies.

CSB: Then you will know that I sent you this decree, so that my covenant with Levi may continue," says the Lord of Armies.

NLT: Then at last you will know it was I who sent you this warning so that my covenant with the Levites can continue,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

KJV: And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

NKJV: Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, That My covenant with Levi may continue,” Says the Lord of hosts.

God never does anything without a reason, and rarely without some specific message in mind. In the prior verses, Malachi has delivered a dire warning from God to the priests of Israel. If they do not correct their insulting, improper worship practices, God will humiliate them. He will do this by debasing them in the eyes of others, and by removing that which is impure (Malachi 2:3). The symbolism given in verse 3 was the "dung" or "offal" from the temple sacrifices—the filthy and unusable parts which were discarded prior to offering a valid sacrifice.

As explained here, this is not being done merely for revenge. God's intent is to purify the Levitical priesthood, in order to fulfill the promise He made to the tribe of Levi (Numbers 18). As a prophecy of something yet to come, this threat is also meant to prove God's involvement. Seeing the priesthood humbled and purified would demonstrate to Israel that He was honoring His agreement with the tribe of Levi.

Malachi 1:6—2:9 is directed specifically at the priests of Israel. Despite having knowledge of the Old Testament Law, they are offering improper sacrifices to God. Instead of following the requirements for pure offerings, they are sacrificing animals so defective that a mere politician would not accept them. This shows their apathy and disrespect towards God. In response, God warns that He will be praised properly, even if it's by the Gentiles, even if it's in spite of His own chosen people. This includes a threat to humiliate the priesthood, if they don't lead the people as they have been instructed.

God will humiliate the priests who are insulting Him with improper sacrifices. While the priests are being unfaithful to God, the people of Israel are also being unfaithful to each other. In particular, they are marrying pagans, and committing divorce, which God absolutely despises. God's covenant with Israel included both blessings for obedience, and consequences for disobedience. And yet, as Israel disobeys, they blame God for their hardships. God's people are defying Him, then blaming Him for the end results!

Malachi's structure is intricate, but can be divided into three primary messages. The first message is to Israel's priests, and runs from Malachi 1:2 through Malachi 2:9. Chapter 2 begins with a warning, to the priests, that God will humiliate them for their arrogant, apathetic attitudes. The topic then transitions to Malachi's second message, directed to Israel as a whole, accusing them of being unfaithful to each other. This rebuke of infidelity continues through the beginning of chapter 3, before calling Israel to repentance in the final message.

Malachi is the last message of prophecy given to Israel prior to 400 years of silence. Israel has rebuilt the temple, following the invasions of Babylon, but they are still under foreign oppression. Israel's spiritual condition, however, is dire. Hosea depicted Israel as prone to failure, but repentant. Later, Ezekiel exposed Israel's blatant disobedience. By the time of Malachi, Israel has passed into numbness and apathy. Unlike other Old Testament prophets, Malachi takes the form of a dialogue, where Israel responds to accusations as if unaware that they've occurred. The next prophetic voice from God would not come until the ministry of John the Baptist.

Accessed 5/3/2024 5:24:02 PM