The burden of the word of the Lord is brought to us by the messenger Malachi whose name fittingly means ‘messenger’. The first chapter of Malachi declares the persistent theme that is consistent throughout the word of God, a message that all the prophets of old declared “at sundry times and in divers manners”, as the spirit of God moved them (2Pe_1:20-21), and that message was to turn from evil and to do good, to fear God and work righteousness (Ecc_12:13).

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Now in chapter two God directs his attention to the priests in whom this chapter is mainly talking about: “And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you”(Mal_2:1).

Chapter two is an inditement against the modern priests of Christianity today if we understand that the old covenant priests and the nation of Judah and Israel and the Levitical priesthoods of their day represent and typify for us the modern Christian church of today (1Co_10:11 , 1Pe_1:12).

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

That system of old was being witnessed against via Malachi and was a period of time that is typical of what God is doing via the true messenger Jesus Christ through the little remnant of Christ’s body who witness to the world in this age the true gospel (Col_1:28-29), which is the power of salvation unto all those who believe (Rom_1:16 , 1Co_1:18 , Eph_1:13).

God is giving that remnant the power through Christ to take heed to the warnings given in God’s word to themselves, and that obedience is contrasted in the second chapter of Malachi with the sons of Levi who were the priests of God. Not all Levites were priests, but all priests had to be Levites which priesthood typifies the few who are called out of the world in this age to be given the power to obey the spirit of the law of God (1Pe_2:9-17 , Mat_22:14).

Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

The least will be greater than any previous prophet or priesthood that was bound to the law and not able to fulfill the spirit of that law as Christ commanded (Mat_5:44 , Gal_5:18-26). If God’s spirit is within the temple that we are (Col_1:27 , Rom_8:9 , 1Co_3:16), we will be greater than John the Baptist of whom Christ said “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist”. Because the spirit is now there within to help fulfill the law and establish it in our hearts and minds, Christ goes on to say “notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Mat_5:17).

This is what true greatness is to God, and this is the lesson God is showing us in the typical examples found in Malachi, both good and bad lessons that represent God’s workmanship that we are today Lord willing (Mat_11:11-12 , Joh_6:44). The “notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” part of this verse can only be accomplished through Christ and represents those who are growing in their ability through Christ to keep all the “But I say unto you” commandments of Christ that are what make up the spirit of our marriage covenant relationship with our Husband and head Jesus Christ.

Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Mat 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:

Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Mat 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

Mat 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

Luk 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Here’s the link to the studies with Chapters 1 and 2: The Book of Malachi studies