Malachi 2: The Priest's Overstepping in Law Application - Distortion of God's Universal Love
Malachi 2: The Priest's Overstepping in Law Application - Distortion of God's Universal Love
Verse 7: "For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth."
Verse 9: "So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law."
Verse 17: "You have wearied the LORD with your words. 'How have we wearied him?' you ask. By saying, 'All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them' or 'Where is the God of justice?'"
What is the knowledge contained in the lips of a priest from whom people seek instruction in the law? It is a correct understanding of God. The knowledge that a priest harbors must be consistent. If a priest is inconsistent, the law becomes distorted, because a priest is the messenger of God. People obtain the will of God through the priest because they believe it to be more practical and applicable. In short, people gain clarity through this means. They know their own shortcomings better than the priest does, which makes them realistic and humble. As God's messenger, a priest's knowledge and actions must be one. This is not only God's expectation of a priest but also the realistic expectation of the people. The words from a priest who is consistent in thought and deed transcend knowledge and reach the level of wisdom.
Verse 7: "For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth."
Verse 9: "So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law."
Verse 17: "You have wearied the LORD with your words. 'How have we wearied him?' you ask. By saying, 'All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them' or 'Where is the God of justice?'"
What is the knowledge contained in the lips of a priest from whom people seek instruction in the law? It is a correct understanding of God. The knowledge that a priest harbors must be consistent. If a priest is inconsistent, the law becomes distorted, because a priest is the messenger of God. People obtain the will of God through the priest because they believe it to be more practical and applicable. In short, people gain clarity through this means. They know their own shortcomings better than the priest does, which makes them realistic and humble. As God's messenger, a priest's knowledge and actions must be one. This is not only God's expectation of a priest but also the realistic expectation of the people. The words from a priest who is consistent in thought and deed transcend knowledge and reach the level of wisdom.