Reflecting the Image

Scripture:

Malachi 2:4–9

4 Know, then, that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the Lord of hosts. 5 My covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 8 But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, 9 so I make you despised and humbled before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction. (NRSVUE)

Observation:

The priests had not been fulfilling their responsibilities. They were leading people astray because they were not right in their own hearts.

They were to be faithful to God’s covenant with Levi, a covenant of life and well-being. They were to be people who showed reverence to God and “stood in awe” of His name. The priests were to have “true instruction” on their lips. By the way they lived and the words they spoke, they were to turn people from iniquity. People should want to receive instruction from the priest because, through the priest, they were receiving a message from the Lord.

The lips of a priest were to lead people to God, but these priests were leading people astray. Because they had not followed God’s commands and had shown partiality in their instruction, they would be “despised and humbled before all the people.”

Application:

Today’s readings had us in Malachi and then listening to Jesus speak about the scribes and Pharisees. He pronounced judgment on them, saying they were like whitewashed tombs—trying to look good on the outside, but dead on the inside.

As a minister of the gospel, I want to listen carefully to these words because I want to be mindful of what might be found on my own lips. What can I learn?

1. I am privileged to stand in a long line of ministers of the gospel. I need to respect those who have gone before me and those who will come after me, serving faithfully in my own generation.
2. My life must reflect awe and reverence for the One whom I am privileged to serve. This ministry is not mine, and it is not about me. It must always point to Jesus Christ!
3. True instruction should be on my lips. This carries with it a great sense of responsibility. I must study and know the Word of God. I need to read and be well prepared to give instruction. Not only do I need to study, but I need to be in communion with God—knowing Him personally through time spent in prayer and in His Word.
4. The way I live my life may matter more than the words I speak, write, or preach. We are to walk in integrity, and by doing so, help lead people in the right direction. But the opposite is also true. The downfall of a pastor can be devastating because it affects so many other people. We are not supposed to cause others to stumble because of what we are doing in our personal lives.

This takes us right into the throne room scene in Isaiah 6, where the prophet cried out that he was a man of unclean lips. Standing in the presence of a holy God, Isaiah recognized his own uncleanness and his need for cleansing. Then a burning coal was brought from the altar and touched his lips, purifying them.

Those of us who are called to proclaim the good news must never forget our own need for the cleansing work of God. If our lips or our lives are not what they should be, may we call upon God to cleanse us and set us on the right path.

God desires a faithful priesthood, a people whose words and lives point others toward Him.

Pastor—do you have the lips of a priest?

Prayer:

Lord, I am humbled to think that You want to use me in this world as Your messenger. I pray that I don’t get ahead of You, but that I will trust in You, spend time with You, and get to know You more. Help me to lead those with whom I’m privileged to minister into Your truths. And lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil, so that I do not lead others astray. Amen.