Malachi, Part 2
They began teaching for personal gain—whether for financial profit, ego, or self-preservation. So, God allowed their lives to be scrutinized.
STUDYTHE WORD OF THE LORDPROPHETIC
Listen, men and women of God. If we only focus on Malachi 3, we miss God's heart behind Malachi’s correction of His people. I implore you—before teaching Malachi 3 as a tithing scripture, study the entire book. Otherwise, you miss the full message of what is being corrected and spoken of.
All of Malachi is about correcting the heart so that offerings can be brought before our Righteous King in a way that is acceptable to Him.
God’s Correction Starts with Leadership
In Malachi 2, Malachi immediately admonishes the priests. Why? Because judgment begins with the house of God. As 1 Peter 4:17 says:
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
Judgment starts with the priests—the leadership—because whatever is in the leadership flows downward and affects the whole church.
Haven’t you read that the anointing started at the head of Aaron, flowed over his beard, and then down to his garments? What does that mean? It means whatever spirit or atmosphere surrounds the leaders will be poured out upon the congregation.
Rod Parsley once wrote about the tangible anointing, explaining that the leadership's spiritual condition influences the church. If the atmosphere is tainted with greed, hostility, or corruption, it spreads throughout the body. This is why God brings leaders into alignment first.
The Heart Posture of the Priests
Malachi 2:1-2 shows that God’s issue with the priests was their failure to honor Him:
“If you will not hear, and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory unto My Name, I will send judgment instead of blessing.”
Because of their wrong heart posture, judgment had already begun. Their sacrifices were defiled, and God viewed them as if they had been soiled with filth (paraphrased for clarity).
The heart of God has not changed. Though we now have a New Covenant through Christ, God’s character remains the same. He still says, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
Strong Beginnings and Corrupt Endings
In Malachi 2:5-7, we see that the priests started out strong:
“You taught My law, walked with Me in peace and integrity, and turned many from sin.”
But something changed. How many ministries have we seen start strong, only to fall into compromise?
Instead of seeking God for answers, leaders often blame external factors:
“This ministry took my congregation.”
“That church split mine.”
“COVID hit, and we never recovered.”
Yet, they rarely ask God what really happened. They fear exposure more than they fear God. But true repentance isn’t about embarrassment—it’s about healing. Before God exposes externally, He always tries to correct internally.
The Priests Caused Others to Stumble
By verse 8, we see the heart shift in the priests:
“You started strong, but now you have corrupted the covenant. You cause many to stumble at My Word.”
They began teaching for personal gain—whether for financial profit, ego, or self-preservation. So, God allowed their lives to be scrutinized. When they turned their backs on Him, He exposed them to the people.
Before a church split ever happens, I believe God gives leaders the chance to repent and fix what is broken. But fear often stops them. When leaders refuse to deal with sin in their lives or corruption in their ministry, it invites compromise into the entire church.
Two major consequences come from this:
It affirms sinful behavior, potentially leading others to eternal separation from God.
It creates an atmosphere of compromise, affecting the entire congregation.
A Cry for True Worship
In Malachi 2:10-12, Malachi cries out:
“Don’t we all have one Father? Isn’t my God your God? Then why do we treat each other unfairly?”
Judah had taken on a strange wife—a metaphor for compromised worship. Their worship looked like worship but was tainted. Yet God commanded that sacrifices be without blemish.
He said He would cut off and reject these offerings. Again, He is addressing the heart behind the giving.
Why Isn’t My Offering Accepted?
In Malachi 2:13, people ask why God does not accept their offerings.
“Didn’t I work hard for this? Isn’t my giving a sacrifice?”
Yes, but their hearts were unclean. They mistreated their spouses behind closed doors, yet expected God to honor their giving. Worship and obedience go hand in hand.
Malachi 2:15 speaks of a godly seed—the next generation. They were supposed to walk in the foundation of the covenant, yet they were forced to walk on a floor full of cracks and rotted wood left by those who refused to deal with sin.
God Is Weary of Empty Words
Malachi 2:17 says:
“You have made God weary. You say, ‘Look at all the good I’ve done for God!’ yet you refuse to deal with the evil in your heart.”
Some people mistake God’s judgment for circumstances. They don’t realize that the struggles they face aren’t just random events—they are warnings.
I am not here to bring condemnation, but revelation. It is time for us to own up to our failures, repent, and seek God’s correction.
A Call to True Repentance
What good is it to gain the world but lose your soul?
It’s time to open our hearts. I have. I repent of my shortcomings so that my offering will be acceptable to God and bear righteous fruit.
Will you?
