The Malachi Blessing - Unpacking chapter 2

Moving forward in the book of Malachi, in chapter 1 we saw the set up, 

what was going on in Israel and why.

In chapter 2, we see more of the same, God, through Malachi is outlining 

why He can’t or isn’t blessing them.

But before we go on, a word on how we want to move forward. Most of 

the commentaries researched for this were found to be very technical and 

accurate in their history, well crossed referenced, and provide some 

excellent insights into scripture. What we often find missing though is a 

very human element lacking the emotional nuances of the situation or 

relationship between God and His people. They tend to be spiritually, 

practically, and factually oriented, focusing more on facts, performance, 

rights and wrongs, in other words the outward. And scripture can indeed 

appear that way. But we also know that God is emotional, very relational 
and loving; and as we will soon read, changes not. Knowing this, 
even though the Bible can be very cut and dry about its 
subject matter, there must be these emotional and relational sides 
of God present. 

It is these attributes 

of God that we believe 

are the driving forces 

behind The Malachi 

Blessing in particular 

and what we choose 

to emphasize. Not that 

any other facet of 

teaching is invalid or 

unnecessary, they are 

very important; we just believe that it’s a healthy emotional inward 
foundation that sets up the rest. That it’s the inner emotional man that 
truly matters, especially to God. God simply wants the inner man to line up 
with his actions. So when we read the Bible, although it's not always 
directly mentioned, we need to remember that it’s always God dealing 
with His people, and God and people are emotional beings whether we 
want to recognize it or not. Emotions are a very powerful and motivating 
force, often driving us even when we are not aware of them, it’s clear 
they certainly motivate God. There are those who staunchly oppose this 
point of view believing that Christianity, actions, and behavior are all 
a matter of choice or act of the will; some even teach to do away with 
emotions altogether because “all they do is get you in trouble”. 
The result of this teaching and thinking is they can completely miss 
the person. And as long as they can get a person to “act right”, 
they’ve done their job. However, a person can “act right” and not mean 
any of it. Ever know anyone like this? We believe that God wants us 

to figure this out. He shouldn’t have to tell us everything. He wants us 

to use our God-given brain to put the pieces together. So as we continue 
studying The Malachi Blessing together, keep in mind that God is not 
only concerned about restoring the tithes and offerings (outward), but, 
as stated before, His relationship with His people (us) and how they/we 
FEEL (emotionally) about Him (inward), lining everything up. He’s not only 
interested in our behaviors and actions, getting us to “act right”; He wants 
our motives (inner man) to BE right. Who wants to be in an emotionless 
relationship anyway? Even if all the “right stuff” were being done in a 
relationship of yours with no emotion behind it, would you want that? 
Neither does God! After all, in verse 2 of chapter 1, God says 
“I have loved you”, a very obvious emotional declaration. 
That’s how He chose to open this whole thing up . . . . . . 
. . . . He led with His emotions.

So, that being said, let’s see what chapter 2 brings . . .

Malachi 2

Corrupt Priests to Be Disciplined

Verses 1-4 “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. 

2 If you do not listen, and take it to heart to bring glory to 

My name,” says the Lord, “then, I will send a curse upon you 

and I will curse your blessings; and yes, I have already cursed them, 

because you are not taking it to heart. 3 Watch, I am going to rebuke 

your descendants, and spread refuse on your faces, the refuse 

of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 Then, you will know

 that I have sent this commandment to you, so that My covenant 

with Levi may continue,” says the Lord. - Is God serious or what?! 

He means business and He's angry! Here, He’s calling on His priests, 
now He’s calling on His leaders of the church. God really really wants 
to bless His people, but He can’t in its current condition, it pains Him 
greatly to have to say and do these things. But, believe it or not, 
it’s still His love for us that demands it. Verse 2 - “glory to My Name” 
is a reference to the ordinances/statutes, in that when we listen, 
obey, and follow His ways we glorify, honor, and worship Him 
(Deut 26:10, 16-18, 28:58, 30:20). The opposite is to profane 
His Name (Lev 22:2). The curses are for not following the 
ordinances. Verse 3 - The reference to the spreading of refuse 
of the feasts on faces, is again a reference to the statute which 

says that the animal is to be cleansed of all feces indicating that this 

was not done (Lev 4:11-12, 16:27). Also notice the word “feasts” 

used here; the sacrifices, tithes, and offerings were all to be feasted 

on by the people in Israel one way or another (Num 18:8-14, Deut 12:27, 

14:22-28, 15:19-20, 26:10-14). Verse 4 - “covenant with Levi 
may continue” = contract with the priests, which, of course, 
are responsible for the keeping the sacrifices and offerings, 
God wants His ordinances intact (forever) (Num 18:8, 11, 19 
Deut 12:27-28). Question - What does forever mean? 

We would strongly suggest listening, and taking to heart, 
anything God has to say! He goes on . . .

Verses 5-7 “My covenant was with him, it was one of life and peace, 

and I gave them to him that he might fear Me; so he feared Me 
and stood in awe of My name. 6 True guidance and instruction 
was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not on his lips. 
He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and turned many 
from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, 
and men should seek instruction and truth from him; for he is 
the messenger of the Lord. - God is remembering and missing 
His relationship with Levi! Can you hear it? What was and how 
it should be. He wants the same with leaders today. 
Read it again and listen for the emotion. All of verse 5 describes 
“the covenant” or agreement “with him” (Levi/priesthood), blessings 
“of life and peace” (Deut 26:12-15, 19, 28:1-14, 30:8-9), purpose – 

“that he might fear Me” (Deut 14:22-23), “stood in awe of My name” 

= to honor and reverence God and His statutes (Deut 28:58). 

Verse 6 – “guidance and instruction was in his mouth” 
= Levi taught the law and statutes correctly, and “turned many 
from iniquity” = kept people from making (deadly) mistakes. 
Verse 7 – priests/leaders should protect, and keep from harm, 

knowledge of the statutes so they are not forgotten and distribute 
them as a messenger and representative of God with lots of care 
and reverence.

Verses 8-9 “But as for you, you have turned from the way; you have 

caused many to stumble by your instruction and leadership; you have 

corrupted the covenant of Levi. 9 So I also have made you despised 

and abased before all the people, because you are not keeping My ways

 but are showing partiality in the instruction of the law.” says the Lord.

 – Can you hear the change in God’s tone when He says “But as for you”? 

The leadership has caused, and is responsible for, people to stumble. 

It is one thing to be guilty of . . . . . not-the-best choices (sin) in one’s 

personal life. It is another thing completely to guide, lead, and teach 

others to do the same; even out of ignorance. Verse 8 – “you have 

turned from the way” = you have turned away from My statutes 

and from Me. Turning away from His statutes is the same as turning 

away from Him. Leadership needs to take their calling even more 

seriously because they can be misleading the church and not have 

any idea what they’re doing. “you have corrupted the covenant of Levi” 

= you have broken My agreement with the priesthood”. Again, God is 

indicating the priesthood because of their responsibility to keep the law. 

Verse 9 is all about consequences for not keeping His ways (Deut 28:15-68).

Treachery in the Family

Verse 10 Do we not all have but one father? Has not one God 

created us? Why do we deal so treacherously with one another, 

each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of 

our fathers? – Why do we do the things we do? Don’t we know 

what’s important? What’s the big picture? When we treat each 

other badly we dishonor our covenant with God. Also, when 

there is strife in the family, it negatively affects (defiles) our tithes 

and offerings (Matt 5:24).

Verses 11-12 Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination 

has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has 

profaned the Lord’s sanctuary which He loves; he has married 

the daughter of a foreign god. 12 May the Lord cut off from 

the tents of Jacob any man who does this, being awake and aware, 

yet who presents an offering to the Lord of hosts. – God, through 

Malachi, continues to describe and elaborate on the condition of 

Israel. Can you see how important this is to Him? He’s talking 

about marriage here, but not just the marriages of His people, 

He wants us to make the connection between us and Him. 

Are we dealing treacherously with our spouses/Him? Are we 

profaning the sanctuary in any way? Are we married to a 

foreign god? Then He says, may the man who commits this 

treachery and abomination knowingly, but cut off. We believe 

this is two-fold. 1 – it is clearly for the leadership/priests 

(as indicated in the first verse) who should know the law 

and statutes; and 2 – for future leaders and us who after 

reading this will also be held accountable. Are we as an 

individual or as a group/family doing something we know 

is wrong and still doing it?

Verse 13 “And this is another thing you do: you cover 

the altar of the Lord with tears, and with weeping and 

groaning, so He no longer regards the offering anymore 

nor can it be accepted with favor from your hand.” 

– This is a key verse because the statute states that an 

offering must be offered with thanksgiving and rejoicing, 

not in mourning (Deut 26:10-14); otherwise it is considered 

defiled and cannot be accepted as we see here. The tears 

and groaning can be coming from the priests and the people 

because of the absence of God’s blessing, and/or the weeping 

is caused by all the broken marriages throughout the land.

Verse 14 “Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord 

has seen what’s been going on between you and the wife of 

your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though 

she is your companion and your wife by covenant.” – The priests, 

once again, ask a very sarcastic question “why are You doing 

this (to us)?” There certainly doesn’t seem to be any sincerity 

in their tone. The short answer, because the Lord (El Roi) 

sees (everything). The Lord is watching and paying attention. 

He sees how you have treated your wife, the wife of your youth, 

your commitment, yourself (Matt 19:6, Eph 5:31, 33a, 1 Pe 3:7) 

treacherously. Treacherously def – marked by betrayal of trust, 

fidelity, confidence – faithless, deceptive, unreliable; need we 

say more?

Verses 15-16 But did He not make them one, having a remnant 

of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore 

take heed to your spirit, and may none of you deal treacherously 

with the wife of his youth. 16 For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, 

the God of Israel, “for it covers one’s garment with violence. So take 

heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.” – He starts 

with the importance of unity, one flesh, both for them/us in marriage 

and in our relationship with Him. Work on it, protect it, defend it. 

Then He addresses the opposite, I hate divorce, I hate separation, 

I am willing to fight for My relationship(s), I want you to be this way too.

Verse 17 You have tired the Lord with your words. Yet you say, 

“How have we tired Him?” In that you say, “Everyone who commits 

evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He is pleased in them,” or, 

“Where is the God of justice?” – Here we go again, “how have we 

tired Him? He’s pleased with people who do evil anyway! And He 

won’t do anything even if He’s not! God is not just; we sacrifice, bring 

offerings and still no blessing! He is just as pleased with those that don’t. 

So it really doesn’t matter what we do!” Talk about contempt! This is 

what they were saying to God by what they were doing, this is also 

what they were saying to God by what they were NOT doing. Let us 

not weary the Lord, let us not put on God what isn't there or assume 

that nothing will happen because nothing is; they thought it was because 

He didn't care or wasn't there, we might think because we’re now under 

grace and not law. May we not be this naive, God is righteous, God is just, 

in reward as well as punishment. This whole verse is all very subtly about 

the law, statutes, and offerings. 

Conclusion to chapter 2 –

1 – Listen and take to heart what God has to say, especially our leadership, 

similar to chapter 1. Let us not be of hardened heart, but open and 
receiving, knowing that there are consequences for not and blessing 
if we do. Heeding what God has to say gives Him honor and confirms 
His place as Lord.

2 – We show ourselves honorable by keeping our covenant with Him. 
While it is true that we under a new covenant, we still have a 
responsibility to establish the law which includes many of His 
ordinances and statutes (Rom 3:31). Even Jesus said He came NOT 
to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17-20); if He lives in 
and through us then this is our mission too.

3 – The priests/leaders of that time lacked guidance, instruction, and 
did not preserve knowledge. May our leaders, teachers, evangelists, 
and especially pastors today take their positions and callings even more 
seriously, may they learn from their counterparts, and may we all as 
today’s priesthood do our part as well (1 Peter 2:9). We all need 
to realize that turning away from His ordinances and statutes 
is like turning away from Him.

4 – Keep the big picture. Let us learn to take a step back and remember 

what’s really important.

5 – Strong relationships, especially marriages. This is so near and dear 

to the Lord’s heart because He loves His bride (that’s you) and will do 

anything to preserve and protect this precious relationship and wants us 

to feel the same way.

6 – El Roi, the Lord sees (everything) . . . . . ‘nuf said.

7 – Let us never put on God what’s not there or assume that because 
nothing is happening that nothing will, good or bad. They thought 
that because God wasn’t doing anything (blessing or punishment) 
that He didn't care or wasn't there. We might think there are no 
apparent consequences because we are under grace and not law 
(Rom 6:14-15) or no apparent blessing assuming they are yet future 

or God is simply not choosing to; when there may be another reason 
for a lack of blessing, we need to be introspective, asking (Phil 2:12), 
and humble (Rom 12:3).

As we can see the references to the ordinance of the tithes and offerings are numerous. Most of which are missed by the church today and its leadership but a priest of that time would recognize them immediately. Malachi is practically cryptic to us because of this, thus we fail to bring the lessons forward. Even with verses like 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 of chapter 1, which are all very clear and straight forward, we either read them and just don’t make the connection to the tithes and offerings understanding that the sacrifices, offerings, and tithes all fall under the same ordinance, or we see clearly what the text is saying about the alter, sacrifices, tithes, and offerings, make the connection, and still don’t quite recognize the importance. Today we seem to treat these passages as just something THEY were doing or not doing, as a warning to us against dead religion and interpret it to say that we need to simply take God more seriously and do what He tells US to do. Which is right, we do; but that’s incomplete. There is more here! While there is a definite spiritual interpretation and application for us in these passages, there is also a practical one. And while they are connected and related, they are also not the same. Which is why God needed to write Malachi chapter 3, to clarify exactly what He meant; and even with chapter 3 in the book, for nearly 2000 years we still haven’t quite gotten it!

Now it gets good!

Let’s go look at chapter 3 . . . 

The Malachi Blessing, Operation: Restore the Tithe, 

TheMalachiBlessing@gmail.com
TheMalachiBlessing.blogspot.com