Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16 God charges the people of unfaithfulness but they disputed the charge. “Covenant faithfulness is demanded of Covenant people” To be faithful is to be capable of being depended upon, to be unwavering and firm to one’s commitment. Faithfulness is one of the attributes of God (Psalm 89:8) and believers are required to be reliable and steadfast in their commitment to God and to one another in their interpersonal relationships. Sadly, this positive attribute that is in high demand among many people including Christians is in short supply.
You will recall that In Malachi 1:2 told Israel “I have always loved you.“ we understood that the love of God in the context of the Book of Malachi was under-girded by three covenants: the covenant of Levi, the covenant of fathers and the marriage covenant. We have considered the covenant of Levi. We will consider the other two covenants. “Whenever we realize our identity as a people of covenant, we will seek to understand what God requires us to do and commit to fulfilling the terms of the covenant “
Areas of Unfaithfulness: 1.Unfaithfulness by breaching the covenant of kinship -(Malachi 2:10) “Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?”
The people of Israel and Judah were reminded that they were united in kinship and religion. The people acknowledged God as their Father and their patriarchal lineage through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. All humans find unity under God as creator of all. Moses chided the people “Is this the way you repay the LORD, you foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?” Deuteronomy 32:6. God also created all ethnic groups so that they can seek Him. (Acts 17:26-27) Breaking faith with their covenant brothers Different versions used words like treachery, betrayal, cheat,despise to describe unfaithfulness. This covenant of brotherhood requires love, respect, support and compassion towards one another. This Covenant bind them to be faithful to one another so that they can live in peace and harmony.
The people lived in the midst of enemies who could take advantage of division and attack them. Remark As believers in Christ Jesus we must learn to get along with one another in love, forgiveness, peace and harmony. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 In Mark 3:32-35, Jesus expands the scope of kinship to include those who do the will of Father God “A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you. Who are my mother and my brothers? he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
2.Jesus commands us to love one another as evidence that we are his followers “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
3.A house divided cannot stand (Mark 3:25)
4.Unfaithfulness through pagan marriage – (Malachi 2:11-12). Spiritual adultery damages the sanctuary. Spiritual adultery is usually the doorway to physical adultery. Many today profess to be followers of Christ and yet have conformity with the world system opposed to God. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15 Consequence: Culprit must be cut off even if he brings offering.
5.Unfaithfulness by breaching covenant of marriage – (Malachi 2:13-16) 6.Flooded the Lord’s altar with crocodile tears – vs 12-14 The people shed tears and expressed sorrow over the sorry state of things but they were insincere and basically happy over the way things were. Remark Do you express sorrow over the moral decay and unfaithfulness in our culture but enable or condone ungodly conducts and character flaws within your circle of influence?
7.Breaking faith through divorce The people divorce their Jewish wives in preference for foreign ungodly women. Remark Several marriages are not thriving today because of failures in key areas like commitment, communication, intimacy, spirituality, cherishing and nourishing, time and poor conflict management skills. Divorce and remarriage have not proved to resolve issues neither marriage with same sex. We are broken vessels needing divine mercies and help. God has designed marriage to nurture godly children who will bear witnessing for Him in the world. Malachi 2:15 God hates when you break faith through violence in marriage relationship. Conclusion Faithfulness to the Lord involves getting along with one another and honoring our marriage commitment.
