Teach the Truth

Mal 2:5,6 "My covenant was with him (Levi), one of life and peace, and I gave them to him that he might fear me; So he feared Me and was reverent before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, and turned many away from iniquity."

 

What is a covenant? It is a solemn promise…a binding agreement between parties. Basically it is a legally binding contract. If I say that I will do one thing, you promise to do another thing.

 

God made a covenant to Levi in Deut 33 where he said: "For they have observed your word and kept Your covenant." What was it? "They shall teach Jacob Your judgments and Israel Your law. They shall put incense before you, and a whole burnt sacrifice on Your altar." That was what the priest promised to do. If he did it this what God said that He would do: "Bless his substance, Lord, and accept the work of his hands; Strike the loins of those who rise against him and of those who hate him, that they rise not again." In other words, if the priest was faithful in teaching the truth to Israel and maintained pure sacrifices, God would bless his work and provide abundantly for him. He would also protect him from those who rose up against him.

Malachi simply reiterates this covenant. God's desire, his promise was for life and peace for His guys. The priest was to teach and live in a way that showed that he feared and revered God. The way that he did that was by teaching truth and justice. If he did, the kept promise of God was a life of peace and equity.

Now I think about those of us today who are called upon to teach. The following verse applies to us as well: "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." V7 Pretty solemn. Pretty serious. Pretty humbling. Teach the truth. Keep knowledge. Don't avoid difficult issues. Hit them head on. Speak the truth…speak it lovingly, but speak it. Don't sugarcoat it. Don't worry whether people will be offended. Don't be concerned if you are considered intolerant. This will happen…but look what else will happen: "And turned many away from iniquity." People's lives will be changed…forever! That is a life of peace and blessing. God will keep His word.

As I get ready to talk, God, let me speak the truth, boldly, honestly, lovingly.