On Sunday evening, Pastor Devon Rossman preached from Malachi 2. And he unpacked how Malachi holds the priests accountable for violating the expectations for their special position (as descendants of Levi) under the Mosaic covenant.

Malachi 2:1-9: “And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor 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.”

For the Sunday afternoon church service in Mt Pleasant, Pastor Devon explained how the priests incurred consequences for neglecting God’s commands. And he also explained how the failure of the Old Testament priests prepared the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ, the faithful priest. Through his priestly service, we receive true instruction and are given a better sacrifice for the permanent removal of our sins, and we are brought, as holy, to God.