Malachi 2:10–11 (ESV)

10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? 11 Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.

Genesis 1:27 (ESV)

27     So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

Ephesians 4:6 (ESV)

6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Malachi 2:1–9 (ESV)

2 “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. 4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts. 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. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts, 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”

James 3:1 (ESV)

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

1 Timothy 5:20 (ESV)

20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)

27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Malachi 2:13–14 (ESV)

13 And this second thing you do. You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.

Genesis 2:24 (ESV)

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Matthew 19:4–6 (ESV)

4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Malachi 2:15–16 (ESV)

15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

Matthew 19:6 (ESV)

6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

1 Corinthians 7:10–11 (ESV)

10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

Malachi 2:17 (ESV)

The Messenger of the LORD

17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”

Psalm 73:1–3 (ESV)

1      Truly God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

2      But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,

my steps had nearly slipped.

3      For I was envious of the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Colossians 3:1–2 (ESV)

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

1. Reflect and Repent

“Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. — Malachi 3:7

2. Recommit to Covenant Relationships

“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” — Matthew 5:37

3. Seek Restoration Where There’s Brokenness

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” — Romans 12:18

4. Lead with Integrity

“Be shepherds of God’s flock… not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.” — 1 Peter 5:2

5. Support and Strengthen Marriages

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” — Matthew 19:6

6. Trust God’s Justice and Timing

“Do not grow weary in doing good…” — Galatians 6:9