Malachi 2:6
The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
Though Levi's cruelty had brought the sentence to be divided and scattered in Israel, his repentance that wrought reformation and faithfulness to God amid apostasy turned that curse into highest honor. God answered his reverent fear with a covenant of life and peace, separating him to minister before the Lord, teach the people, and live with no landed inheritance but with the Lord Himself as his portion. The verse sets the fourfold standard for every faithful priest, minister and truly converted worker: truth in the mouth, no wrong on the lips, walking with God in peace and uprightness, and turning many from wrongdoing. Lips that preserve knowledge show a life shaped by divine righteousness, so that people seek instruction in God's law from such a messenger, while unfaithful priests twist the law to serve their own interests and cause many to stumble. For the consistent Christian this means speech governed by truth and freed from deformity of character, a walk that looks to Jesus and wears His lovely character at home and apart from defilement, and a loving, lovable life that itself becomes the most powerful argument to turn many from wrong.
Levi's Covenant and History
Levi himself was cruel and vindictive, and his descendants fell under the decree to be divided and scattered in Israel, yet repentance that wrought reformation and faithfulness to God amid the apostasy of the other tribes transformed that curse into honor, even highest honor. Malachi 2:6 describes that faithfulness: truth guided his words, he avoided iniquity, and he lived in peace and fairness with God while turning many people away from sin. God made with him a covenant of life and peace in response to the reverent fear with which he feared God.
He was separated to bear the ark of the covenant, to stand before the Lord to minister to Him and to bless His name, walking with God in peace and equity and turning many away from iniquity. As appointed ministers of the sanctuary the Levites received no landed inheritance but dwelt in cities set apart for them, supported by tithes and gifts and offerings. They served as teachers of the people and were honored everywhere as servants and representatives of God, with the Lord Himself as their inheritance.
Faithful Speech and Life
The verse sets out a fourfold pattern and standard for the faithful priest, minister, messenger, and truly converted worker: the law of truth in the mouth, no iniquity in the lips, walking with God in peace and equity, and turning many away from iniquity. Truth guided speech, iniquity was avoided, life was lived in peace and fairness with God, and influence was used to turn others from sin. Teaching was truthful, speech was free from deceit and iniquity, the walk with God was marked by peace and equity, and words and conduct together made a faithful messenger of the Lord. Levi is held up as the model of this priesthood and faithful example, in contrast with priests who departed from God's way.
His lips are to preserve knowledge, and people are to seek instruction in God's law from him as a messenger of the Lord. A life shaped by God's righteousness produces truthful speech and helps others leave iniquity. The faithful priest who speaks truth without iniquity, walks with God in peace and equity, and turns many away from sin thus shows that character formed by righteousness issues in truthful words.
Unfaithful priests departed from this example and corrupted the law and the covenant. They caused many to stumble over the law. They treated its requirements selectively when they conflicted with their own interests, especially their earthly treasures.
For the consistent Christian, having truth govern speech means sound words that speak the praise of God and fix the mind on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. Freedom from iniquity and crooked speech means deformity of character, sullenness and many idle words are removed. Walking with God in peace and uprightness means looking to Jesus and catching the light of His face and His righteousness, becoming loving and lovable. It means representing Christ and showing His attractive character, keeping His commandments, and wearing the beauty of His heavenly character in the home life. It means having citizenship above and title to an immortal inheritance, living as members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, coming out and being separate and touching not the unclean thing and refusing political strife. This comes from having the heart saturated every day with the holy oil emptied from the two olive trees.
Such a loving, lovable Christian life turns many away from wrongdoing because it is the most powerful argument for the truth.