Malachi 2:5 My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 8 But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction.
The charge above was brought by God against the Levites - the priests and temple servants, who had been called by Him to be keepers of the covenant. The had done their job for years. They instilled in the people the awe of God, true instruction, training in peace and righteousness, keeping the people from rebellion and sin. They handled rightly the word and instruction of God. But recently they had failed to carry out their responsibility, giving false instruction, and not living in obedience themselves. We find Jesus and Paul making similar statements in addressing religious leaders who abandoned their charge. Whenever we who have responsibilities in the house of God go astray or fail to keep our calling, God's people will follow and those servants will be held accountable.
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