Malachi 2:7-9 (ESV)
[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] 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.
This was God’s indictment against the priests of God in Israel at Malachi’s time. “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.” This is what a priest should have been doing, but it is also what pastors should be doing today. An lest we pick on only pastors, isn’t this what every believer ought to be doing? As a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet 2:9) believers in Jesus Christ should be guarding knowledge and instructing people in the wisdom of God. One of God’s primary accusations against the priesthood in Malachi is that they have shown partiality in their instruction. Haven’t we done the same thing? Haven’t we been guilty of assuming that certain people would not be responsive to the gospel, so we never connect with them, while assuming that other people would make “good Christians” so they become our focus? What if in Acts 8 Philip had decided that there was no one in the desert that would respond to the gospel and decided to stay with a fruitful ministry in Samaria? The Ethiopian Eunuch would not have heard the gospel and been saved. It is not for us to decide who will be responsive to the gospel. Nor is it for us to decide where we will be most comfortable in ministry. It is our responsibility simply to walk in the Spirit and speak the knowledge and wisdom of God wherever he would have us speak. God, forgive us for showing partiality in our preaching, teaching, and evangelizing.
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