THE PRIESTS BETWEEN THE CURSE AND THE BLESSING After addressing the people as a whole in the last chapter, to show that they did not care much for the exalted love of God; merely leaning upon the presence of the priests among them, and on their offering of animal sacrifices; Here He demonstrates in particular, the seriousness of the iniquities of the priests. 1- A curse instead of blessings 1–4. 2- A covenant with God for life 5–7. 3- Corrupting the covenant with God 8–9. 4- Dealing treacherously with one another 10. 5- Marriage to pagan wives 11–13. 6- Dealing treacherously with the wife 14–16. 7- Abusing the righteousness of God 17. 1. A CURSE INSTEAD OF BLESSINGS “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you.” (Malachi 2:1) The priests would probably justify their faults, mentioned in the last chapter, by saying that offering the defiled and blemished sacrifices on the altar, is not their fault, but is that of the individual who does not offer the best of what he has to the Lord. The commandment addressed in this chapter to the priests does not concern the offerings and the sacrifices, as much as it concerns the priests’ hearts, intentions, life, and behavior. If the task of the priest, is to intercede on behalf of the people, by offering sacrifices, being a symbol of that of the Lord Christ. It is fitting for the priest himself to be holy. If the priest is not pure, how can his heart cry out for the sake of the purity and the sanctity of the hearts of others? “‘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 2:2). God, who searches the hearts, knows for sure that their practice of priestly work is not for the sake of God’s glory; and that the problem is in the heart itself. That is why a curse is sent upon them instead of blessings. For not giving the Lord their heart, because of temporal glory or material benefit, a curse will befall them, and they will lose even their temporal honor, and their material blessings. They will lose what is heavenly, beside what is earthly. It is such a great responsibility and a heavy commitment on the priests to defend, and to work for the sake of God’s glory; so as not to seem negligent in this concern, when they hear His warning, saying: “‘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’” (see Malachi 2:1-2)1. 1St. Cyprian: Epistle 104:13. 35 St. Cyprian When a shepherd walks along rough and sloping terrains, his flock would follow him and would fall to perdition. Grieved by the bad experience of the shepherds, the Lord says on the tongue of His prophet: “Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture – and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet? And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet” (Ezekiel 34:18, 19). It is obvious that when the shepherds drink of the clear and pure waters, they quench their thirst from the source of truth by their sound understanding. But they would corrupt the holy contemplation by their wicked life, when they foul the waters by their feet. It is only logic that their flock, following the bad example they see, would drink from the water they have fouled with their feet, and would then refrain from following the teachings they have heard. The flocks wish to do the right things they hear from their shepherds; yet they would divert because of the evil they do; and would drink muddy water from a polluted spring. That is why the prophet says, that the wicked priests have become a snare leading to the perdition of their flock: “Hear this, O priests… For yours is the judgment, because you have been a snare” (Hosea 5:1); “The prophet is a fowler’s snare” (Hosea 9:8). And the Lord also says by His prophet concerning these shepherds: “Because they… caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity” (Ezekiel 44:12). Nothing could harm the church like those who have the image and the title of sanctity, yet they act corruptly1. Fr. Gregory (the Great) It is your duty, O Bishop, not to disregard the faults of the people, nor to despise the repentant, so as not to lead the Lord’s flock to perdition, or to insult the new name sealed upon His people. You would then bring upon yourself the divine words of rebuke, said on the tongue of the prophet Jeremiah, concerning those old shepherds: “Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard. They have trodden My portion under foot” (Jeremiah 12:10)2. The Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Falling under curse, the priests in their turn would become a cause of curse for the people who follow their way. I wish that the people would not deceive themselves, assuming that they are secure from contagiousness of sin, when they attach to a sinful priest, and obey an illegal and unjust bishop; Those whom the prophet Hosea rebukes, saying, “Their sacrifices … shall be like bread of mourners to them; all who eat it shall be defiled” (Hosea 9:4). This teaching clearly reveals that everyone partakes of the sin of corruption of the sacrifice of an oppressive and a blaspheming priest3. St. Cyprian “Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung 1 Pastoral Care 1:2. 2 Constitutions of the Holy Apostles 2: 3: 15. 3 Letter 67:3. 36 of your offerings, and I will put you out of My presence” (Malachi 2:3) The goal of priestly work is to create a joyful heavenly atmosphere among his flock. But because of the corruption of their hearts and intentions, their life turned into a cause of bitterness, barrenness, and grief among the people. When the religious leaders divert from holiness, blessing will escape and curse will take place. Like when the earth was cursed because of the sin of our parents Adam and Eve, and brought forth thorns and thistles. The prophet Isaiah says: “Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, Therefore you will plant pleasant plants… But the harvest will be a heap of ruin in the day of grief and desperate sorrow” (Isaiah 17:10, 11). And the prophet Hosea says: “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; it shall never produce meal. If it should produce, aliens will swallow it up” (Hosea 8:7). And the prophet Jeremiah says: “They have sown wheat, but reaped thorns” (Jeremiah 12:13). No fruit is got through ministering to idols that would bring forth heads of wheat struck by the wind; that appear from the outside as though full of grain, while it contains nothing inside1. When you forget what the beneficent God has done for your sake, you will plant unfaithfulness and reap ungodliness. You will reap the fruits of your own seeds2. Theodoret of Cyrus In the Catholic version it came: “Behold, I will cut off your arms, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your feasts...” Instead of the honor, glory, and blessing, that the ministers of God, who work for the edification of their people, are supposed to enjoy; their arms would be cut off, dung would be spread over their faces, and they would lose the joy of the feasts. By the dung, or residue, he probably means the waste that remains after washing up the sacrifices. Offering blemished sacrifices with defiled hearts, instead of the chosen parts they should eat as the priests of God, God will spread the dung and residues over their faces, as a sign of the shame that would befall them, and of that, they would be despised and dishonored by the people. This is the portion of the ministers who, instead of seeking the glory of God, seeks their own glory and personal material benefit. They turn into a disposal, worthy of the waste thrown over them. “’Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you; that My covenant with Levi may continue,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:4). Here, God confirms that Malachi is not uttering his own words, but those, which God sent for their repentance, for the sake of his covenant with Levi, to be sanctified on account of the Divine ministry. In every generation, God intends to set with His children and people, an eternal covenant, to enjoy the heavenly heritage. And as the Psalmist says: “He has remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded for a thousand generations” (Psalm 105:8). After saying: “He has remembered His covenant forever;” which we should understand as being an eternal covenant of justification and eternal inheritance, 1 Commentary on Hosea 8. 2 Commentary on Isaiah 17:10. 37 promised by God by faith, He added: “The word which He commanded for a thousand generations.” What does He mean by the word “commanded”? The commandment here is faith; “As the just will live by faith” (Romans 1:17); and the eternal inheritance is set for this faith1. St. Augustine “They did not keep the covenant of God. They refused to walk in His Law. And forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them” (Psalm 78:9-10). They rebelled against Him, who renewed them, and baptized them in the Red Sea which “He divided and caused them to pass through; and made the water stand up like a heap. In the daytime, He also led them with the cloud” (Psalm 78:12-14)2. “My mercy I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall stand firm with him” (Psalm 89: 28). He keeps His mercy forever on the Church; He saves by the covenant of His commandments3. The Law was only the beginning of the covenant; whereas the gospel is its consummation4. St. Jerome 2. A COVENANT WITH GOD FOR LIFE When God set His covenant with the sons of Levi, especially with Aaron and his children, He did not put a heavy burden on them, but set a covenant of “life and peace.” God separated them to become a cause of life for His people, and peace for them through their holy ministry. If God has set a covenant with His people, He did that in particular with the tribe of Levi. ‘The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘As to the tribe of Levi, do not count them among the children of Israel; but. … “They shall attend to the furnishing of the tabernacle of meeting, and to the needs of the children of Israel.” And they shall live near the tabernacle’ (see Numbers 3:12); He also said to Moses: “Bring near to you your brother Aaron, and his sons with him, from among the Israelites, to serve Me as priests”(Exodus 28:1). And about him, it is also said: “Aaron, the holy one of the Lord” (Psalm 106:16). God opens the gates of heaven to pour over the soul that reveres the Lord and fear Him; and grants it eternal life and inner peace. “My covenant with him was a covenant of life and peace, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.” (Malachi 2:5). A priest is entrusted over the divine covenant to become the messenger of the Lord of hosts, a messenger of the covenant of life and peace. When the prophet Moses blessed the tribes before his departure, he said to Levi: “Who says of his father and mother, ‘I have not seen them,’ nor did he acknowledge his brothers, or know his own children; for they have observed Your word and kept Your covenant” (Deuteronomy 33:9). It was fitting for the Levite, as a minister to the Holy One, to concentrate all his 1 On Ps. 105 (104). 2 Homily II on Ps 78 (77). 3 Homily 66 on Ps 89 (88). 4 Homily 75 on St. Mark 1:1-12. 38 energies on the divine commandment and covenant; above all other relationships even to seem as though he does not see his own father and mother, does not acknowledge his brothers, and does not know his children. What does he mean by saying: “My covenant with him was a covenant of life and peace”? If eternal death befell man because of sin, and he lost his inner peace, his peace with God and with his brethren, because he gave his back to God, the Grantor of peace; the goal of the divine covenant is the resurrection of the dead spiritually to enjoy Christ - ‘the Resurrection’ - to let man live and not die; and to consummate the reconciliation between him and God; to become filled with inner peace with himself, as well as with his brethren. This is the task of the priest, with which he should only be preoccupied. He saved mankind, the work of His hands, and not of others; namely, what He made for Himself, He saved for Himself. He created man who perished through his evil; and, by His right hand. The Lord Christ died to keep him1. He is the Lord who says: “My heart is ready, O Lord, My heart is ready.” I am ready here, and I am ready in the coming life. I am a Savior on earth; and I am a Savior in heaven. I give the eternal life to both the angels and men2. St. Jerome “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” (Malachi 2:6). It is fitting for the priest to have knowledge of the heavenliness; to live them, and to testify to them before his flock; “to bring out of his treasure things new and old” (Matthew 13:52). “For the lips of the priest should keep knowledge; and people should seek the Law from his mouth. For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:7). The wise Solomon, believing that the priest should be wise, and the words of knowledge should pour from his lips; by which he can draw many to the way of truth; says: “Wisdom is found on the lips of him, who has understanding… The lips of the righteous feed many” (Proverbs 10:13, 21). The heart of the priest should only be preoccupied with the Law, or the divine commandment. And his lips should only utter what is in harmony with the Law. “From his mouth they seek the Law.” Everything he utters is referred to the One who sent him, “For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (7). It is fitting for the priest to realize, concerning his position as the messenger of the Lord of hosts, that he has a true divine heavenly vision. And as the Lord says to the prophet Isaiah: “Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he sees” (Isaiah 21:6). It is fitting for the priest to cry out to God, saying, “My Lord, I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime. I have sat at my post every night” (Isaiah 21:8). He should stand day and night with no rest for his body; but should always watch over his people as though with the eyes of the Lord, in the daytime in their joy, and care for them every night in their afflictions. He should care for their salvation when the darkness of the night 1 Homily 25 on Ps. 98 (97). 2 Homily 34 on. Ps. 108 (107). 39 befalls them, because of their diversion from the Sun of Righteousness. It is also fitting for the believer, in his turn, to seek the counsel of the Lord of hosts, by resorting to prayer and supplication. Together with seeking the divine will from the “messenger of the Lord of hosts,” he should always seek knowledge. The task of the messenger is to proclaim what he was told. That is why the priest is called “a messenger,” because the words he utters are not his own, but those of the One who sent him1. St. John Chrysostom We should be aware, lest we would be rebuked as “dumb dogs that cannot bark” (Isaiah 56:10). The barks of dogs and the rod of the shepherd drive the wolves away. The priests are not ordained to become agents over fields or farmers on plantations; but to be farmers of souls; which is meant by the words of the apostle, saying: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase;” and “For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s fields” (1 Corinthians 3:9). These facts should be taken with great apprehension by all priests who are aware of both the divine and the civil laws; according to the words of the apostle: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:37, 38). They should fear indeed what the Lord says on the tongue of His prophet: “My people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge” (Isaiah 5:13); and, “One who turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9); “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge” (Malachi 2:7). It is so written that, on entering into the temple, golden bells sewed to the tails of the garments of priests used to make ringing noise; referring to that the priests would not stop crying out, preaching the things concerning the end of the world and the judgment to come; would always proclaim the reward of the righteous and the punishment of the evildoers; and would provoke the good to become better, and the evildoers to reconsider their wrong behavior, for fear of the coming judgment2. Caesarius of Arles No holy thing was presented or practiced in the temple without the consent of the priest. Because, according to the prophet Malachi, “the lips of the priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the Law from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (2:7)3. Constitutions of the Holy Apostles To the evildoers it is said: “Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions. They have not uncovered your iniquity to bring back your captives” (Lamentation 2:14). It is to be noticed that teachers were sometimes called ‘prophets’ in the Holy Bible, because they reveal the nature of the present and proclaim the future. It is as though God accuses them of deception, if they compliment the evildoers instead of judging their iniquity, for their fear of them. 1 Homilies on Rom., Homily 2. 2 Sermon 1:5. 3 Constitutions of the Holy Apostles, 2:4:28. 40 If the shepherds avoid using the words of rebuke, they fail to reveal the faults of the sinners. The words of rebuke are indeed the key that reveals the sin that is often not felt by those who commit it. That is why the apostle Paul says: “Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9). Malachi also says: “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 host” (Malachi 1:7). That is why the Lord warns on the tongue of the prophet Isaiah, saying: “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet” (Isaiah 58:1). Whoever enters into priesthood and takes the position of a messenger, should cry out aloud, preceding the awesome coming of the just Judge1. Fr. Gregory (the Great) 3. CORRUPTING THE COVENANT WITH GOD “But you have departed from the way. You have caused many to stumble at the Law” (Malachi 2:8). They “have departed from the way” (8); either by their deadly literal interpretation of the Law, to turn it into a heavy burden on the soul; or by applying it according to what would suit their personal interest, in a flattery to the rich, and cruelty to the poor and the weak. Those turn even the gospel of Christ from being “an aroma of life to life, into an aroma of death to death” (see 2 Corinthians 2:16); And to them, the Lord Christ Himself becomes “a rock of offense” (Romans 9:33). It is a stumbling stone to the people, when the priest departs from the way, and betrays the covenant set between God and Levi. What does the departure from the divine way means, but to get preoccupied with something else other than the salvation of himself and that of his people? This is the way of God, who wishes for all to be saved, and to return to the knowledge of God. By departing from the divine way, they corrupt the covenant with God the Philanthropic. The divine just Judge denies and disregards them; because those whom He relieves of temptations and suffering, are the ones rejected by Him.. To such people, even to those who perform miracles, the Lord of glory says: I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:27; Matthew 7; 23). The voice of the divine Truth rebukes the ignorance of such shepherds, saying: “They are shepherds who cannot understand” (Isaiah 56:11); and, “Those who handled the Law did not know Me” (Jeremiah 2:8). The divine Truth complains against such shepherds who do not know Him. Because no one knows the exaltation of the ministry of leadership, except those who know Him; whereas those who are ignorant of what is the Lord’s, are disregarded by the Lord; according to the words of the apostle Paul: “If anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:38). The unworthiness of the shepherd often goes hand in hand with the unworthiness of his flock. If the shepherd does not possess the light of knowledge, because of his personal sin, the flock accordingly would stumble as a result of his ignorance. For that, the Lord Christ says: “If the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:14; Luke 6:39); and the Psalmist prophesies: “Let their eyes be darkened, so that 1 Pastoral Care 1:4. 41 they do not see; and make their loins shake continually” (Psalm 69:23). The leaders are indeed eyes, occupying the top of ranks, who are supposed to clarify the way; whereas those who follow them are bound to them. If the eyes of the former are darkened, and they lose the light of knowledge, those who follow would bow under the yoke of their sins1. Fr. Gregory (the Great) The ministry of priesthood can turn into a kind of trade; about which the prophet says to the children of Israel: ‘It is as though the owners of your pubs have mixed their wine with water’ (See Isaiah 1:22 LXX). It is difficult to imagine that the blessed prophet would care for such a worldly issue. By the owners of pubs, he most probably means, the shepherds in the church, who are supposed to serve the Savior’s cup. He rebukes them for disregarding their divine duties, and getting preoccupied with human affairs; “Everyone with his own house.” When a priest is slothful in performing his priestly work, and is preoccupied with temporal pleasures, he is like the owner of a pub who mixes the wine with water2. Fr. Maximus of Turin It is very serious, when shepherds lose the spirit of discernment; and the word of enlightenment for them, turns into an offense to their congregations. About them, the Lord Christ says: “They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:14). And the prophet Isaiah says: “They walk in blackness. They grope for the wall like the blind, and they grope as if they have no eyes. They stumble at noonday as at twilight. They are as dead men in desolate places” (Isaiah 59:9-10). They read the Holy Bible; and do not see the truth in it. They are like the blind who walk groping the wall, and falling at noonday as at midnight. You can imagine how miserable they are! Although the Sun of Righteousness shines on the whole world, yet they stumble, and fall as though in the darkness and the death of the night. They thigh as dead men and spend their life in great grief, that their presence seems like death3. Theodoret of Cyrus They are blind leaders to blind people. Who are those blind leaders? Those are the Pharisees whose eyes God has blinded for they are non-believers in Jesus Christ. Thus, God has blinded them, to deny them the shining of the light of the gospel of the glory of God, in the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). We should separate ourselves from the leadership of such blind persons, and should listen carefully to those who preach the true teaching. Let us do this, lest we become blind like them; when we do not recognize the meaning of the Holy Scripture4. Origen “Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in the Law” (Malachi 2:9). Because the people felt that their priests, instead of being the source of divine 1 Pastoral Care 1:1. 2 Maximus of Turin: Sermon 28:2. 3 Commentary on Isaiah 59:10. 4 Commentary on Matthew 11:14. 42 blessing, have become bearers of the curse (2); of whom the Lord says: “I have made you contemptible and base before all the people” (9). Beside deviating from the divine way, and corrupting the covenant, they show partiality in the Law, choosing from it what suit them, and disregarding what contradict with their evil will; consummating the outer appearances, and not caring for the inner purity; not following the example of the psalmist who says: “I would not be ashamed when I look into all Your commandments” (Psalmist 119:6). By saying: “They have shown partiality in the Law” (9), he probably means using the commandment in partiality, showing kindness to some persons, and cruelty to others, to realize personal benefits; disregarding that “There is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11) As, according to ‘Elihu’: “(God) is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; for they are all the work of His hands” (Job 34:19). 4. DEALING TREACHEROUSLYWITH ONE ANOTHER “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another, by profaning the covenant of the fathers?” (Malachi 2:10) In disregard for brotherhood, being the children of one heavenly Father, and the creation of one God, every one of them dealt treacherously with his brother. Not loving God, they also do not love their brethren. And in dealing treacherously with one another, they insult, according to the apostle Paul the “One God and one Father of all” (Ephesians 4:6); To whom the prophet Isaiah says: “O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, and You are the Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand” (Isaiah 64:8). There (in heaven), No one will give more love to a relative, but everyone will love the other abundantly and equally. There, men will not be married to women, and will not give birth to children. There, will be no preference to a male over a female. But all will be children of one Father in heaven; according to the words of the prophet: “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10)1. Concerning this; our Lord and His apostles teach us that: “Those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God” (See Luke 20:35-36). And the apostle says: “There is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28)2. St. Aphrahat Don’t you hear the prophet Moses say: “You forsook God who made you” (Deuteronomy 32:15 LXX)? Don’t you hear the prophet Malachi, rebuke you and say: “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10 LXX)?3 St. John Chrysostom This is God’s compassion toward humanity; He, who is the Creator, has later become, by grace, also a Father. Yet, this will happen when the people – His creation – accept Him in their hearts; according to the words of the apostle: “The Spirit of His Son cries 1 Demonstration 22:12 On Death and Later Times. 2 Demonstrations, 22:13 On Death and Later Times. 3 Homilies on Rom., Homily 14. 43 out: Abba, Father.” Those, accepting the Word, will get from Him the authority to become children of God; although, by nature, they are His creation. That is why “The Word became flesh” to make humans qualified for deity. The same meaning could be acquired from the prophet Malachi who says: “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10). From the beginning we were creatures by nature. God created us by the Word. Then later on, God the Creator became our Father as well1. St. Athanasius the Apostolic The Holy Bible proclaims the truth, saying: ‘First of all, Let us believe that there is only one God who created and consummated everything, and brought everything to existence.’ He, who contains everything; and is not contained by anyone. Truly, the prophet Malachi says: “Has not one God created us?” The apostle says: One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:6). And the Lord Himself says: “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father” (Matthew 11:27); obviously through Him, who created all things, as to Him nothing was delivered by another, but what belong to Him (the Father) 2. St. Irenaeus 5. MARRIAGE TO PAGAN WIVES “Why do we deal treacherously with one another, by profaning the covenant of the fathers? Judah (the son of Jacob) has dealt treacherously. And an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the Lord’s holy institution which He loves. He has married the daughter of a foreign god” (Malachi 2:11). The prophet repeats the expression “dealing treacherously” and its synonyms, five times in this piece (10-15). It is as though ‘dealing treacherously’ has become a common feature in the people’s life and behavior. The psalmist says: “Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause” (Psalm 25:3); and: “Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors” (Psalm 59:5). And: “I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, because they do not keep your word” (Psalm 119:158). And Solomon says: “The wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it” (Proverbs 2:22). And “The perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them” (Proverbs 11:3). From all this, we can see how serious treachery and unfaithfulness are. So has the apostle Paul mourned the Jews for their treachery; the Lord mourned Jerusalem; and Jeremiah lamented the people for their unfaithfulness to the Law3. I have enough ground for hope for those who believe in You, and who enjoy Your help; whereas You will reject those who are treacherous. It is now fitting to refer to the fact that it is not only the sinners, but also those who break the Law without cause (treacherously), who will be covered with disgrace. Not all sinners are the same: Some sin because of certain circumstances, or because of a natural weakness; whereas others arrogantly boast their rebellion and slothfulness4. Theodoret of Cyrus 1 Four Discourses Against Arians 2:21:59. 2 Adv. Haer. 4:20:2. 3 On Ps. 119:158. 4 On Ps 25:3. 44 Treachery here means betraying the covenant; as whoever breaks the covenant with God is treacherous and unfaithful. This treachery reflects on his dealings even with those closest to him; namely a spouse, whom he got from God as a partner and a helper in life with all its aspects. A sign of treachery and abomination is that they insulted their God by marrying pagan wives (11), and by divorcing their believing wives. God considered these two crimes as though they are treachery directed personally to Him. The first crime is the fellowship with non-believers; who would lead the believer to deny God. The second crime is loosening the holy bond of marriage made by God. If you wish to know more clearly how a believing Christian woman should never marry a non-believer; hear the words of the apostle saying: “A wife is bound by Law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39); namely, (only to a Christian). He who allows a second and a third marriage in the Lord, forbids a first marriage to a non-believer. That is why Abraham made his servant put his hand under his thigh); namely, to swear by Christ who is to come out of his seed, not to get a wife for his son, Isaac, from the Gentiles (Genesis 24:1-9). And Ezra, having discovered such kind of abomination toward God, made his people send away their gentile wives (Ezra 10:1-17). Here, Malachi says: “Judah (the son of Jacob) has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the Lord’s holy institution, which He loves: he has married the daughter of a foreign god. May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, being awake and aware, and who brings an offering to the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:11, 12)1. St. Jerome “May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, being awake and aware, and who brings an offering to the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:12). By such abominations, by which believers defile the sanctuary of the Lord, they cause themselves and those they have, to be cut off “the commonwealth of Israel” (Ephesians 2:12); They awake and aware, namely the teachers and the learned, the blind shepherds and those who follow them, will all fall into the ditch of vanity. The believer who marries a pagan will be cut off “from the tents of Jacob;” namely from the people of God. The priest who “brings an offering to the Lord of hosts,” and commits that same abomination, will fall under the same punishment, and will be cut off from the ministry of the temple of the Lord and from priesthood. Because the people of Israel committed harlotry with the women of Moab, they were invited by them to worship their gods, and bowed down to Baal of Peor. Consequently, the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel; and the prophet Moses ordered all the offending leaders of the people who committed that abomination to be killed (see Numbers 25:1-4). Phinehas, the high priest, with a jealousy for God, struck the priest who dared to attach himself to a Medianite woman, together with her, with his spear. Nehemiah as well, drove away from God’s congregation, a grandson of the high priest who married a pagan wife (Nehemiah 13). The priest Phinehas with such a jealousy became a symbol of the Lord Christ, 1 Against Jovinianus 1:10. 45 who delivering Himself to death on the cross turned away the divine anger from those who believed in Him. If Phinehas, by his jealousy in killing the evildoer, has turned away God’s anger from the congregation, would Jesus, who did not kill anyone, but “gave Himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2; 6), not turn away God’s anger from all mankind?1 St. Cyril of Jerusalem If we are conformed according to His death, the sin in us will surely become completely dead, by the spear of Baptism; the same way the adulterer perished through the jealousy of Phinehas2. St. Gregory of Nyssa “And this you do as well: You cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and groaning because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor at your hand” (Malachi 2:13). In order to be able to marry a pagan wife, believers used to divorce or to treat harshly their wives. That wives who could do nothing but to weep and groan, and to cover the altar with their bitter tears. Worship in the temple, especially in the days of feasts, thus turned into grief and tears, instead of the joy by the Lord. Offerings and sacrifices are no longer a cause of pleasure to the Lord, because they were mixed with the tears of the distressed wives, whose cries silently joined those of Abel’s blood from the ground. Marriage to pagans probably corrupted the concepts of worship. Instead of being connected to praise and spiritual joy, the sacrifices were connected to screams of the worshippers who slashed their bodies with swords and spears, and to blood gushing out over the altar (1 Kings 18:28). And as the prophet Ezekiel says: “Women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz” (Ezekiel 8:14). Instead of worshipping together with their believing wives with praise and joy, and with unhindered prayers and offerings by pure hands. Men resorted to worship together with pagan wives with the spirit of grief. Tears and weeping here, are probably also because of the feeling of guilt by those treacherous worshippers, who shed tears, yet without forsaking their bonds with their pagan wives. They continued practicing the worship of the true God to calm down their consciences, and the idolatry worship to please their pagan wives. They mixed between light and darkness; to hear the voice of the prophet Elijah saying: “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). And that of the apostle Paul saying, “What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15) “What communion has light with darkness?” Because of the contradiction between light and darkness, whoever partakes of both, will not have a portion in either. In his so mixed life, by his faith, he seeks the help of the lighted part; yet by his dark habits, he quenches the lamp of reason. And as it is impossible for light and darkness to be 1 Catech. Lectures 13:2. 2 On the Baptism of Christ. 46 present together, he, who embraces both of them, is his own enemy; where he is divided interiorly, between virtue and evil. Setting in himself a battle between two controversial sides. And as in such case it is not possible for the two opponents to be both victorious, the victory of one will lead to the complete destruction and death of the other1. St. Gregory of Nyssa 6. DEALING TREACHEROUSLY WITH THE WIFE “Yet you say, ‘For what reason?” Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your own youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously. Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant” (Malachi 2:14). Men have, as well, dealt treacherously in their marriages, marrying pagan wives, or taking them as concubines, to share with their lawful wives their own rights in their husband’s hearts. This shameful behavior would never present peace or joy, but inner depression and misery. God so cares for the family; that He counts Himself as a witness to the contract of marriage. Therefore, God Himself would, as though dissolving a contract witness whoever dissolves this bond. Whereas, whoever is committed to it in faithfulness of heart and fitting behavior, would be counted as faithful to what belongs to God. He calls her: “the wife of your youth.” Having loved her in the days of his youth, he should not despise that love when he gets old! He calls her: “Your companion;” namely, a partner, who partakes of her husband’s joy and grief; supports him as his helper, and shares in all the responsibilities of the household. He also calls her: “Your wife by covenant;” namely, he is bound to her by a tight bond, and entered with her into a committing covenant, that they should both honor. “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). Here, He gives the reasons why the two of them should live together till the end of their life, in holy love, honor, and peace. God created one Eve for one Adam, to keep him faithful to her. And as it came in the book of Leviticus: “Nor shall you take a woman as a rival to her sister, to uncover her nakedness while the other is alive” (Leviticus 18:18). God could have created another Eve; Yet He intended for Adam and Eve to be preoccupied with “seeking godly offspring;” namely, to have holy children, who have the image of God. He intended for them, not to be preoccupied with getting satisfaction through carnal lusts; but with setting a holy household with mutual honor in the Lord, and faithfulness in love, not with the treachery of giving emotions to someone else. According to both the natural and the divine laws: “Let each man has his own wife, and let each woman has her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2), to live together in chastity and purity, in a holy family, to beget offspring who worship God (Psalm 22:30); by which “The marriage is honorable, and the bed is undefiled” (Hebrew 13:4). In the gospel of Matthew it came that: “Whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32). Moses himself has set a 1 On Perfection. 47 statute that whoever marries a girl whom he raped by violence, is not permitted to divorce her all his days (Deuteronomy 22:28, 29). Now, if marriage after the use of violence is to stay intact, how should be the one that takes place legally, honorably, and through mutual consent?! That is why the prophet here says: “Let no one deal treacherously with the wife of his youth” (Malachi 2:15). Here we also see the Lord Christ, following the Creator’s way; protects marriage, and bans divorce except for sexual immorality1. I draw your attention to the law of the one wife, that was since the beginning of the human race (Genesis 1:27); that was obviously set by God as a model for the future generations. He, after creating Adam, and finding out the necessity of giving him a helper, He took one of his ribs and made it into a woman (Genesis 2:21-22). He set for man to have only one woman2. Where can we find a language that is more fitting to express the happiness of a marriage set by the church, made fast by the blessing of its sacrament, celebrated by the angels, and approved by God the Father?! Young men and women all over the world are not to get married without the consent of their parents! What a blessing for a couple of believers to partake of one hope, one wish, one ordainment, and one service?! They get to enjoy a relationship in spirit and body; to become partners with no controversy; for “the two to become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19; 5; Ephesians 5:31). When they become one flesh, they will also become one Spirit; will pray together, fast together, supplicate together, and raise their hands to God together. In the church of God they occupy an equal status (Romans 12:15; 15:6; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12). They stand equally at the table of God, in trouble, in confronting persecutions, and in rejoice. There is no secret between the two of them; no one will hide anything from the other, No one will disregard the other, and no one will cause any trouble for the other3. Tertullian Do not forsake her without legal cause; Take heed to your spirit: “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. Did He not make them one?” (See Malachi 2:15) The Lord says: “What God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6)4. The Constitutions of the Holy Apostles “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) What is indeed more serious is to try to conceal your evil behavior, and the treachery and betrayal you harbor in your heart, by pretending before others that you love your wife. You are covering up your evil and oppression as though by your garment. God allowed the Jews to divorce their wives because of the hardness of their hearts (Matthew 19:8). Yet He hates divorce; especially that they used to consider it 1 Against Marcion 4:34. 2 Exhortation to Chastity, 5. 3 To His Wife 2:8. 4 Constitutions of the Holy Apostles, 1:3:14. 48 lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason (Matthew 19:3) The prophet confirms that, divorcing a wife just for any reason, and marrying another, while the other is still alive, is not only treachery against the first wife, but is actually a treachery against God Himself, who set the holy law of matrimony. The Lord Christ came to raise the believers up to a level of spiritual maturity and serious responsibility, by not allowing man to divorce his wife except for sexual immorality. St. Augustine, commenting on the words of the Lord concerning that, says: [The Mosaic statute did not allow divorce. But it commanded him who intends to divorce his wife to give her a certificate of divorce. As in doing that, the intensity of his anger may have the chance to get down, and he may reconsider his intention! That is why, when the Lord was asked about this issue, He said: “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives” (Matthew 19:8). As however great is the cruelty of heart of him who intends to divorce his wife, When he knows that by giving her a certificate of divorce, she will have the right to marry another man, his anger may slow down, and he may reconsider his position. To confirm this principle; namely, not to take the issue of divorce lightly, the Lord of glory made the only exception for it - sexual immorality. By that He is commanding man to forbear with patience any other troubles, for the sake of his love for his wife, and for that of chastity. And to confirm that same principle, the Lord of glory, said that whoever marries a divorced wife commits adultery (Matthew 19:9)1.] 7. ABUSING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD “You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we wearied Him?’ In that you say. ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,’ or ‘Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17) He says: “You have wearied the Lord with your words” They introduced causes and justifications, as though they are unaware of the seriousness of their erroneous behavior. The Holy God, who wishes for His people to be holy, grieves for their lack of reason and discernment; in counting evil as good; in assuming that whatever they do, they would still be good in the sight of the Lord; and if He is offended by their actions, which they think are good, they refer to God oppression and injustice. How amazing?! Man gives himself the right to judge, not only his fellow man, but to judge God Himself, saying: “Where is the God of Justice?” 1 Ser. on Mount 1:39. 49 IN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF MALACHI 2 SET OUT OF THE BELIEVER A HOLY LEADER You created everything for the sake of man. You set him a head and a king with authority. You wish for every man to be a holy leader. For the sake of man, you did much. And when he fell You cursed the land. To produce thorns and thistles. You wish for every believer to be a blessing for many Because of Joseph, You blessed the house of Photifar his master. And for the sake of David Your servant, You blessed Solomon. And because of Jonah the deserter, nature became violent. The seamen lost their provisions and peace. And almost lost their life itself. Sanctify me and draw me to You, O Holy One. To draw, by Your Holy Spirit, many to You. Grant me not to deal treacherously with Your covenant; But make it for me the secret of life and peace. By Your New Covenant, grant me the resurrection from the dead. And grant me peace on a heavenly level. Let Your commandment become the law of my life And let Your word perpetually be on my lips Let me enjoy Your knowledge And let me testify to it with the power of the Spirit. Grant me not to deal treacherously with my brethren. But to be faithful to You in my relationship with my brethren and my family. Dwell in Your church, which is in my heart; And transfigure in the church of my house. Take away from me every treachery to the covenant And purify me from every defilement. Set Your kingdom in me, to become wholly for You. To live as fitting for a son of Yours. And to be committed to respond to Your Holy Spirit.
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