Malachi 2 has some wonderful truths, and of interest this was the last scripture breathed by God until His first appearing as Jesus the Messiah. And reiterated more than once is that there is one God.
Malachi 2:10–11
[10] Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Not only has God given marriage between a man and woman, but it was a sign of an intimate relationship on earth which God desires to have with us, which will be fully realized at the marriage banquet in heaven and why believers are always referred to as the bride of Christ the bridegroom. And God further states that he gives a portion of His Spirit to a married couple in their union, and why a God following married couple can have peace and joy with true partners through this life. So to show faithlessness to the union and then divorce is to cover your garment with violence and place yourself in the precarious position of serious divine discipline.
Malachi 2:13–16
[13] And this second thing you do. You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. [14] But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. [15] Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. [16] “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” (ESV)
And this brings us to another symbol God often uses in scripture of Israel and Judah’s unfaithfulness to God, compared to an adulterous bride and a whore. Just as a spouse is crushed by their adulterous partner who spurns them, God is grieved by those that are unfaithful to Him. And that is what God is doing in this life, separating the faithful from the faithless, and it is for eternity.
Malachi 2:17
[17] You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” (ESV)
Some might think the Lord slow to render justice, but we’re approaching the time of His justice being put on full display to the whole world as he pours out His wrath on all the unbelievers for all their ungodly acts. With the level of evil on display in our world, they’ll have every bit of it coming. But those that accept His gift of salvation through Christ’s sacrifice to cover their transgressions and satisfy God’s justice will be extracted before it unfolds as was promised in scripture. Maranatha!
Malachi 2
The LORD Rebukes the Priests
[1] “And now, O priests, this command is for you. [2] 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. [3] 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. [4] So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts. [5] 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. [6] 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. [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.”
Judah Profaned the Covenant
[10] Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? [11] Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. [12] May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob any descendant of the man who does this, who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts!
[13] And this second thing you do. You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. [14] But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. [15] Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. [16] “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
The Messenger of the LORD
[17] You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” (ESV)