Priestly Duty
“For the lips of the priest should guard knowledge; and they should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of YHWH of hosts.” Malachi 2:7
Guard – The Hebrew verb šāmar means “to watch over, to guard, to keep, to preserve and to care for.” It’s the same verb that described Adam and Havvah’s assignment in the Garden. We expect a priest to do these things when it comes to God’s Word. But take one more look at this verse. Do you find something unusual? When we think about God’s Word, we associate shamar with a heart activity. We think of guarding God’s Word as an inner operation like memorizing, honoring and studying. But what does God say through Malachi? “The lips of the priest” are associated with šāmar. This can only mean one thing – speaking. From God’s perspective, guarding knowledge is about what I say. As a priest, if I am not speaking God’s truth, my inner spiritual life doesn’t seem to matter much.
This apparent disconnect is resolved when we realize that the role of the priest is to act as intercessor between God and the people. He is called upon to speak to God on behalf of the congregation. His job is to plead our case, direct our worship and faithfully communicate God’s instructions. He is the public servant of the Lord. What he says matters a great deal. So, God instructs His priests to guard knowledge. “Be very careful about your words for with your words you direct My people. Know what you are saying.”
Malachi’s revelation creates two big issues for the Church today. The first is obvious. The priest (or whatever title we wish to assign) must know God’s instructions and speak them truthfully. Unfortunately, eighteen centuries of Christian syncretism leave most of our leaders in a position where God’s instructions are no longer guarded. The lips of most priests speak half the truth, unintentionally to be sure, but nevertheless, a tragic mistake. We are led astray by misunderstood messages.
The second issue is the congregation’s expectation of the role of our priests. We think they are leaders of the Body. We think they are managers of the membership. We think they should direct the decisions. In other words, we put them in charge of everything. That is not God’s assignment. Priests are first and foremost intercessors on our behalf. They are not pulpit pundits, committee counselors or budget barons. They are called to be like those apostles of the first century who gave up running the “church” in order to devote themselves to prayer and the study of God’s Word.
We have left our priests and pastors in an impossible position. We have forgotten what God called them to do – know Him, intercede for us and speak His truth. What would happen if we followed the model of the apostles? Well, for one thing, the congregation would have to take on all the other roles of the church. We would have to act on God’s instructions instead of sitting in the pews.
Topical Index: priest, guard, šāmar, Malachi 2:7
Yesterday I posted an article on Jerusalem written by one of the members who went with us in October. You might find it very interesting. You can see it here.
Skip, thank you for this word. It confirms a lot of what God has been speaking to me. The people of the church need to stop being the “servees” being the “servers”. In this way they inturn will be served and filled as they take on the roles they see as menial, but G-d sees them as first and foremost.
I do have a question; would you say that since G-d appointed husbands as priests over their family then this would also apply to them, at least in part?
Thank you again. Blessings
Since God appointed all His children as priests to the nations, this applies to men and women alike. As for the husband as the priest in the family, we might want to reconsider that typical interpretation after we’ve had a very good look at Genesis (yes, I am still working on the book, but getting closer).
What sparked in me was also the connection to “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” If my heart hasn’t been transformed by God’s love, then it will remain bitter and unforgiving. My role in its cleansing is confessing (agreeing that God’s law is true) and repenting (turning away from my way TO His way). This will establish me as blameless–not to be confused with sinless–so that I may speak and walk in love and truth. I am committed to speaking LIFE to/over/for my loved ones, and even my enemies!
I agree with Skip that men and women alike are to be priests. Is that not what “there is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus” means?
amen CYndee..
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow (we’ve seen this word before- remember “abundance?”) of his heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6.45)
“what’s down in the well, comes up in the bucket..”
we (all) need a transformed heart. A “new heart” for a new start
“let this mind be in you…”
Gracias Dr. Moen por esa preciosa enseñanza sobre el verdadero papel del pastor. En Latinoamerica se hace todo lo contrario: el pastor es el hombre orquesta en la congregación. Hace todo lo que el pueblo indica si no, se van a otro edificio a buscar quien lo haga a la manera de ellos. ¡Increíble! como el papel del sacerdote antiguotestamentario se ha perdido. Gracias por abrirnos los ojos. Bendiciones.
Shalom Chavarim,
I find it none to coincidental that while seeking guidance from Yeshua last evening I was drawn by HaRuach to Psalm 119 … and then I see Skip’s commentary this morning regarding “Priestly Duty” … which is joined to the hip with being Kingly … which of course all ties back to Psalm 119 … the quintessential (for me) love poem by man for ELOHIM’s Awesome and Wondrous Character!
It is pretty hard to be the servant of RIGHTEOUSNESS … and pronounce RIGHTEOUSNESS if we don’t burn with desire for RIGHTEOUSNESS. Psalm 119 (Alef through Tav) seems to be a good place for a priest to validate his/her qualifications! 🙂