2. If you will refuse to listen, and if you will refuse to take it to heart, so as to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send destitution upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yes, I will curse them. For you have not taken it to heart.
Malachi 2 talks about the rebuke of the priests who failed to maintain the covenant with God and violated his holiness. The chapter begins with a rebuke to priests who do not honor the name of God and offer impure sacrifices. Then he talks about God's covenant with Levi, the priest, and how it was violated by the priests of the time. The chapter ends with a warning about the importance of covenant and fear of God. Here are five verses related to the topics covered in Malachi 2, in order of proximity:
Isaiah 24:5: "In fact, the earth is contaminated because of its residents, because they transgress the laws, change the statutes, and break the eternal covenant." This verse talks about how the earth is contaminated due to the transgression of the laws and the violation of the covenant. He relates to rebuke to priests who offer unclean sacrifices in Malachi 2.
Deuteronomy 33:8: "And Levi said, Thy tumin and your Urim are with your holy man, whom you proved in Massá, and with whom you have contested in the waters of Meribá." This verse talks about God's covenant with Levi, the priest. He relates to the discussion about the violation of the covenant in Malachi 2.
Jeremiah 18:7-8: "In an instant I will speak, about a nation, and about a kingdom, to tear, and to overthrow, and to destroy. If that nation, against which to speak, convert from its wickedness, too, too I will regret the evil I thought to do to him. " This verse talks about how God can change his mind and show mercy if a nation repents. He relates to the warning about the importance of covenant and fear of God in Malachi 2.
Nehemiah 13:29: "Remember, my God, which contaminated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites." This verse talks about the contamination of the priesthood and the covenant with God by the priests and Levites of the time. He relates to rebuke to priests who violated the covenant in Malachi 2.
Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the Lord is the principle of wisdom; the madmen despise wisdom and instruction." This verse talks about the importance of fear of God and how it is the principle of wisdom. He relates to the warning about the importance of covenant and fear of God in Malachi 2.
“O bem dura eternamente.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
