Malachi 2 Devotional

Witness to Our Promises

“Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”Malachi 2:14 (BSB)

First God reminds the priests of his covenant with Levi, a covenant of life and peace. Levi revered God, taught what was true, walked with him in uprightness, and turned many from sin (2:5-6). The priests of Malachi's day have caused many to stumble instead (2:8).

The people share one Father and one Creator, yet they break faith with one another (2:10). Men have married women who worship other gods and have broken faith with the wives of their youth, then wonder why God no longer welcomes their tearful offerings (2:11-14). The answer is that the LORD himself stood as witness to those marriage covenants (2:14). He declares his hatred of divorce and likens a husband sending away his wife to covering himself with violence (2:16). This is not a word against those who have been wronged. It is God standing as witness and defender for them. Because he keeps his own covenant, faithfulness to people is part of faithfulness to him.

To think about: Which of your commitments to other people do you most need to see as part of your faithfulness to God?