In Malachi, chapter two, God's people are accused of two forms of treachery, infidelity to God's covenant and infidelity to the marriage covenant.

The priests are condemned for not teaching and warning the people. "'And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,' says the Lord of hosts, 'I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart'" (Malachi 2:1,2).

The priests had corrupted God's covenant with them. "For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have departed from the way; you have caused many to stumble at the law" (Malachi 2:7,8).

Those appointed by God to teach the law were causing people to reject the law.

God told them He would dishonour them for this, "because you have not kept My ways but have shown partiality in the law" (Malachi 2:9).

These unfaithful priests were tolerating infidelity to God. In Scripture, God's relationship with His people is often portrayed as a marriage. "Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, for Judah has profaned the Lord's institution which He loves: he has married the daughter of a foreign god" (Malachi 2:11).

God no longer heeded their prayers. He no longer accepted their offerings. Why? "Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant" (Malachi 2:14).

These unfaithful priests were tolerating marital infidelity and divorce.

Oneness in Spirit is required to produce godly offspring. "But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth" (Malachi 2:15).

God hates divorce because of the damage it does. "For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, 'for it covers one's garment with violence,' says the Lord of hosts. 'Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously'" (Malachi 2:16).

And what was the response of the unfaithful priests to all this infidelity? They said that "everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them" (Malachi 2:17).

God still hates divorce because of the damage it does. He still charges His messengers to teach the truth without partiality. He is still displeased when that which is evil, is called good.

Roy Davison