Priestly Indictment
“But you have turned out of the way; you have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says YHWH of hosts. Malachi 2:8
To Stumble – God calls our priests to be intercessors and proclaimers of His truth. He holds them accountable to that charge. God charges His priests with two sins. First, they themselves have turned away from “the way.” What does that mean? It means that these priests no longer practice according to God’s instructions. Go back to the instructions in the Torah. God is meticulously specific about the actions of the priest. He sets the standard and it is not subject to modification. To be a priest is to follow His directions to the letter. To corrupt the covenant of Levi is a serious offense.[1]
The second sin is a direct result of the first. When a priest of the Lord doesn’t do exactly what the Lord asks, the people stumble. Do you remember that often quoted verse, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18)? What you might not realize is that Solomon isn’t talking about foresight. Solomon is talking about prophets and priests. He tells us that unless we have seers, we are lost. We must have God’s words, given faithfully to us, established in our behavior, if we are to survive. This is not about a five-year planning committee. It’s about the faithful presence of our intercessors.
God charges the priests with personal disobedience and public misdirection. If the priest isn’t living according to God’s instructions, the people will stumble. The Hebrew verb here is kāšal. This is a dangerous word. It is connected to falling by the sword, the collapse of nations and the rise of wickedness. When the priests don’t do what God expects, the whole nation totters. Did you think the death of nations was the result of failed economic policies, corrupt judges or bad politicians? Think again! God lays the blame at the feet of the priests.
The pictograph of kāšal is “the last to destroy authority.” Stumbling is the last step that destroys control. What is left after stumbling is chaos. Did you notice the connection between “stumble” and Torah? When the priests are not true, the people destroy the authority of Torah. They stumble over God’s instructions. A priest who does not live and speak as God directs takes down the house! Why? Because the people no longer guard, honor or obey Torah.
This is very serious business. In God’s universe, the fate of entire nations rests in the hands and on the lips of God’s intercessors. The spiritual condition of God’s servants has a direct bearing on all God’s children. No wonder His servants are called to guard the Way.
Topical Index: stumble, kāšal, Malachi 2:8, Proverbs 29:18
[1] For the moment, we will ignore the requirement that a priest be from the tribe of Levi.
Wow. I guess when we complain about the state of our country we should stop blaming a particular political party and look to the church. That’s a heavy responsibility that seems overwhelming, especially when it seems that so few people are willing to listen to Christ followers (or perhaps it’s because a few have abused God’s love and mercy or choose to show hatred for others in a quest to do the right thing). Whatever the reason, we still need to be praying for our leaders and our nation, no matter who they are (and pray for our church leaders, too). As big as government gets, God is still bigger.
Thanks Skip! 🙂
Yes Amanda… my response as well…”wow!”
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
(2 Chronicles 7.14)
Wow! (again!). Skip is right. Lately, it seems as if G-d is hammering me about prayer. I don’t know rightly how to ‘splain’ it, but the pressure is definitely there. (and that is a “good thing!”) Put as plainly as I know how- “it is G-d’s will that we pray.” Don’t you “feel” it too? The “impetus” to pray?
We are enjoined to pray “for” the leaders of our land. This little big word “for” can also mean “because of.” I have heard someone say (and I agree), “We have the leadership we deserve.” Ouch!! Nothing will get your “focused attention” more than pain. We gonna feel some pain y’all. We might be living in a cave for awhile and fed by the ravens, but there will be a nearby “stream” for our refreshment.
I want to thank the Holy Spirit for giving this verse unto me this morning. Maybe this will also “refresh” you. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12.3) G-d disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
(Hebrews 12.10) I wonder if G-d can “spank” a nation? (I believe He can!).
Meanwhile (back at the ranch..) we need to pray!!!
The covenant of Levi? Yes!! We must immerse ourselves in G-d’s book. “We do err, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of G-d.” Think for a moment of what we hold in our hands (and hopefully in our hearts too!). The word(s) of life. G-d’s blessing book. G-d Himself has said, (are you listening?) “I will honor my word above my name.” (Psalm 138.2)
A great prayer to pray today: “May the praise of G-d be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,..” (Psalm 149.6)
When Christ died, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. We (all) have been given access. “Enter in.”
Greetings,
Revelation: 1:5 And from Yeshua Mashiach, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto Elohim and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
So as believers we should embrace the reality that Yeshua hath made us priests and kings unto ELOHIM! … Yes? We represent the nobility of the Kingdom!
And … Skip states “God is meticulously specific about the actions of the priest. He sets the standard and it is not subject to modification. To be a priest is to follow His directions to the letter. To corrupt the covenant of Levi is a serious offense.”
And … Deuteronomy: 17,18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites. 17,19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them; 17,20 that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left; to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the midst of Israel.
So yes Skip … it is serious business … but chaos is being experienced despite the fact that nearly one out of three persons on the planet is purportedly a believer of Yeshua. Now the question? Based on what we understand to be the relationship between priests/kings and Yeshua’s Torah … how many believers function as kings and priests? The answer … only a remnant!
Essentially we are living in a kingdom with so very, very few nobles! A kingdom whose leaders have been taken back into captivity ….
Perhaps it is time for the rest of the nobles to come out of Babylon! Let us pray so … let us pray so!
“In God’s universe, the fate of entire nations rests in the hands and on the lips of God’s intercessors. The spiritual condition of God’s servants has a direct bearing on all God’s children. No wonder His servants are called to guard the Way.”
For me, the statement above is true, but the converse is not true.
I think we can have a great impact on others who seek to live “in God’s universe.”
But probably can’t have much impact on others who choose to live in the “way of the world.”
My academic background is oriented toward “critical theory” and “negative hermenuetics,” so I’m not just a “yes man.”
I think leaders like Blair, Bush, and Obama are all highly educated, good hearted, believers, who dedicate their lives to public service.
But one could argue that under their “rule” things just got/get worse.
Dedication to public service, good-hearted and highly educated MAKES NOT ONE BIT OF DIFFERENCE! If God is sovereign, and the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, then what matters is OBEDIENCE. Insofar as these men, and any others, are out of alignment with God’s instructions for life, they are impediments to His Kingdom. That does not mean they are not capable of doing good, but doing good is defined by GOD, not by men. Therefore, just as the well-being of the people becomes the responsibility of the intercessors (and the people themselves, of course), so the fate of a nation is directly connected to the obedience of its leaders.
We are in big trouble!
Big trouble indeed!
Insofar as these men, and any others, are out of alignment with God’s instructions for life, they are impediments to His Kingdom.
Hi Skip,
I understand and agree.
But as far I know, they are obedient to God, at least in their own minds.
But then they are all aligned with our “war on terror,” which we have no money to pay for on the one hand, and is responsible for the deaths of countless innocent civilians and the waterboarding of prisoners who are being held without real evidence on the other.
By “alignment with God” I mean Torah-observant. As far as I know, and I don’t know very far, none of these men were or are Torah-observant. Now, God works with what we give Him, but there are consequences for not following His design. The consequences are not punishments as much as they inevitable results of misusing the design. So, we can hardly expect to avoid the consequences if we continue to abuse the design.
“The consequences are not punishments as much as they inevitable results of misusing the design. So, we can hardly expect to avoid the consequences if we continue to abuse the design.”
This is probably true in most cases … in some instances I believe we need to trust that in mercy The Lord does rebuke nations … certainly Israel! Or at least we can hope!
Ultimately we are so far away from HIS design however that there is probably very little going on in the way of rebuking … as you state brother Skip: our woes are more a function of consequences as opposed to punishments! How bad it is when the consequences are so grievous … and only exposing the tip of the iceberg! OUCH!
I for one do not hold onto the notion that somehow we (good old USA) are special from a covenantal perspective. In non-relative terms we are, as a nation, way off the mark when it comes to functioning within HIS design!
I understand and agree. But for me they look like saints when compared to most politicians. 🙂
I suppose lung cancer looks good compared to leukemia.
Eze 29:20 “I have given him the land of Egypt {for} his labor which he performed, because they acted for Me,” declares the Lord GOD.
Isa 10:6 I send it against a godless nation And commission it against the people of My fury To capture booty and to seize plunder, And to trample them down like mud in the streets.
Isa 10:7 Yet it does not so intend, Nor does it plan so in its heart, But rather it is its purpose to destroy And to cut off many nations.
These are only 2 instances where the LORD used the less than perfect to accomplish His purposes. It appears to be somewhat less than transparent when we consider how the “powers that be” wield their clout and influence that flies in the face of what the Scriptures declare to be His straight path. Considering this, I can see how God would use the heads of current governments who noticeably are steering the nations away from His constitution. Those so inclined will incur the just deserts and those zealous for the King of all Kingdoms will do so as well. So I would have to agree that ultimately the “fate” of God’s’ people rests in the hands of the Godly priests and kings of His Kingdom in that we have an awesome responsibility to contend for the faith as revealed in the Scriptures. Choose this day whom you will serve.
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40.8)
I have been so blessed to have had godly pastor/teachers in my “growing up” in the LORD. This is where we “plant our feet.” Upon this very thing is where we are “rooted and grounded.” We believe in G-d and we believe in His words. They have proved themselves to be true and faithful, not only in the past, but in the present and we know also in the future as well. G-d has not abdicated His throne, and the “leaders” of our world today are still very much subject to His plans. As one pastor said: -“there is no panic in heaven, only plans.” He also said: “praise G-d, it is getting gloriously dark.” He has since “gone on to Glory” and is now enjoying face-to-face fellowship with those who have preceded us.
“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.” (Psalm 2.4) “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21.30) If you’re going to get your self a “tat” (I hope not..), this would be a good one. (Proverbs 21.30) Pharaoh made his decision and where is he now? (Pharaoh perished.) We also (each) have been given a choice to believe and a choice to follow this “same” Jesus. “Choose you this day who you will serve,” (Joshua 24:15), is still as fresh as when it was first spoken thousands of years ago.
“Blessed is the nation whose G-d is the LORD” (Psalm 33.12) was declared thousands of years before either the Republican or Democrat party ever existed. There are three sides to every story. Yes,..- His side, her side, and the truth. The question we constantly should be asking (and discerning) is- “who is on the LORD’s side?” “Where have the godly leaders gone?” Where are the godly pastors? Where are the intercessors? They are “out there.” Praise His name, He always has “a remnant.” Another good question raised here- “am I part of this remnant?”
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal”.. (2 Corinthians 2.4) We are not without “weapons!” This model comes “equipped not stripped!” Get dressed Christian (Ephesians 6) and go forth as “salt and light.” We are “more than conquerors” through Him that loved us (and loves us still). (Romans 8.37)
“Let the praises of G-d be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands”– (Psalm 149.6)
“But thanks be to G-d, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. (2 Corinthians 2.14)
One last reminder and one ‘last word’. (he’s finally through?-lol..) Listen carefully to these words. We do not pray “for victory”, we pray “from victory.” Christ was victorious. Christ is victorious. He is our Victor. He is our Champion, and as He has said..-.”…..”