Malachi 2:5-7 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear with which he feared me, and was afraid before my name.… 1. It concerns those who stand under any particular obligation to God to be much in studying the encouragements allowed upon them, that they faint not in His service, and of their duty, that they delude not themselves, expecting privileges when they mind not their work, for this end is the covenant of Levi so clearly laid before the priests. 2. Faithful priests have especial need of a covenant of preservation from God, being exposed to much hazard many times; and of the hope of eternal life, being often exercised with sad times here; and in outward things to have the Lord securing their portion to them. And for all these may faithful ministers trust God, for "My covenant was with him of life" (that is, preservation here, and hope of a better life hereafter), "and peace and prosperity." 3. It is a special qualification of faithful ministers, and an evidence that they are to receive a blessing, when much familiarity with holy things doth not breed contempt, but their heart is filled with awe and reverence of God, and they go about His worship with holy reverence and trembling, and do testify much tenderness and zeal against any wrong done to God. 4. The practice of those who have gone before, and by walking in the ways of God, have inherited the promised blessing, will be a ditty against them who decline, and look upon their duty as intolerable, or their encouragements as hopeless; for, the practice and blessing on former priests are recorded, to condemn the present unfaithful ones. 5. It is incumbent to faithful ministers, that they be neither dumb nor liars, that they oppose themselves faithfully against error, and be faithful publishers of truth, for "the law of truth was in his mouth." 6. Albeit no mortal man can be so faithful, but that if God search him, he will not be able to stand; yet it is not sufficient for a minister, that he do not greatly debord in his calling, but he ought to carry himself so as he may abide a trial, for endeavoured holiness, singleness, and integrity, in revealing the counsel of God; for, "Iniquity was not found in his lips." 7. Albeit people are to look to the word carried by ministers, and obey God speaking it, whatever the messenger be; yet it is the duty of faithful ministers, to take heed that their carriage do not belie their doctrine, or minister occasion to bring it into contempt; but that their practice may prove their own believing in the doctrine, and that they shine in their private conversation, as well as in their public station; for therefore is the "walking" of honest priests marked as well as their doctrine. 8. As it is the duty of all Christians, so especially of ministers, to be constant in the ways of godliness, and walk in them, to be sincere in them, as in the sight of God, and to be on His side in all the controversies of their time, which is to "walk with Him," to make peace with God their great aim, and for that end to be humble in their obedience, and not rebellious to occasion quarrels, which is "to walk with Him in peace" and to follow the rule of righteousness, and "walk in equity." or "righteousness" In all their ways. 9. Albeit the Lord s most faithful servants may often see cause to complain of the ill success of their labours (Isaiah 49:4); partly, in that they are sometimes sent out to harden the generality of a people against God's justice (Isaiah 6:9); partly, while they see not the fruit that is, as it was with Elijah (1 Kings 19:14, 18); and partly, because the seasons of the appearing of fruits are in God's hands, yet honest and faithful ministers will not want such fruit of their labours, as may testify God's approbation of them; for, "They turned many away from iniquity." (George Hutcheson.) Parallel Verses KJV: My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. |
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