A Covenant of Fear

Check out previous episodes: Part I | Part II

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Passages like this one are the reason many people bounce off of the minor prophets. Reading rebuke is never easy; especially not in today’s age. When we travelled to Amsterdam earlier this month, I wrestled with the language from the first day to the last. I fumbled over the words in an attempt to communicate. I got mixed results. All of us were born into the world, and so our natural ways of communicating belong to that world. When we were born again, we became strangers and sojourners in that same world, but most of us don’t learn our new language over night. Correction, admonishment, and rebuke are all important components of that language, but they aren’t simple ones and require a lot of time to perfect. Probably a lifetime.

Think “verantwoordelijkheidsgevoel¹”, rather than “bedankt².”

A good example of this is in verse three, in which the Lord says the following:

“Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces,
the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it.”

“Dung on your faces,” says the Lord.

Why? Why would he say such a thing?

As we head into today’s passage, keep three things in mind. Firstly, remember what we looked at last week. The priests were defiling the sacrifices daily, bringing the very worst that the land had to offer before the Lord, instead of the best. Secondly, priests were anointed with the blood and oil of these very same sacrifices. When Moses appointed and anointed Aaron and his sons, he took oil and poured it over Aarons head (Lev 8:12) and then painted their ears, hands, and feet with the blood (Lev 8:23.) If the sacrifices is Malachi’s day had turned to complete and utter faeces, what should they have been anointed with? How should the people see their priests?

Finally, look for the end God is aiming at.

Why was he rebuking them?

1. Reading

First, read or listen to the passage quickly. Then, slow down, allowing the words to sink in, as you read it a second time prayerfully.

“And now, O priests, this command is for you.
If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honour to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart^.

Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces,
the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it.
So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts. My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him.
It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me.
He stood in awe of my name.

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips.
He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
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.

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, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”

Malachi 2:1-9 ESVUK

2. Silent Reflection

Now, the hard bit. 60 seconds to pause and reflect.
Close your eyes, sit in silence, and consider these questions:

- What would it take to convince you that you were on the wrong path, if you were sure you were correct?

- How far was God willing to go to perfect the sacrifice, his people, and his covenant?

- What do God’s commands, instruction, and wisdom mean to you?

You don’t need to restrict yourself to these questions.
Just let the Spirit guide you in this time of reflection.

3. Prayer

Let’s now enter into a time of prayer. Here’s a prayer based on today’s passage:

"Lord,

If I will not listen to your words,
then how can I take them to heart,
and give honour to your Holy Name?

When I do not listen,
When I do not take them to heart,
When I fail to give honour to your Name,
Bring me back to you.

Make my face shine with your glory,
Rather than the dung I deserve.

Bring your commands to my mind daily
Remind me, oh Lord of eternal covenants,
Of your life and your peace,
and of the fear and awe,
that you rightly deserve.

Let true instruction ever be in my mouth,
May no wrongful talk be found on my lips.
Lead me always along paths of peace and uprightness,
Guard my feet from trespassing on the enemy’s road.

Give me knowledge and instruction,
Befitting of a messenger of the Lord of hosts.

Amen."

Take a moment to continue in your own words. Let this prayer guide you into a deeper conversation with God.

4. Contemplation

We just prayed these words together:

“Bring your commands to my mind daily”

Take a second to reflect.

What have you taken away from this passage today, that would bless and benefit you and those around you today?

Write it down.

Each week, refer back to the lines you’ve already written, and over time they will cement more and more in your memory.

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Feel free to reach out with any other questions you might have, or leave a comment to discuss further.

Thank you for joining me this morning. May God’s Word continue to guide and bless you throughout your week.

Grace and Peace,

Adsum Try Ravenhill

The Raven's Writing Desk

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