In Malachi 2:1-9, the Lord continues His second disputation with Israel. His people had profaned worship and the priests had not guarded the sanctity of the sacrifices. Since the priests were the gatekeepers of the Temple, the Lord cursed them and their blessings for their failure to instruct the people properly, showing partiality and offering contemptible sacrifices on behalf of the people. Under the New Covenant, all of God’s people are priests, offering themselves as living sacrifices. However, the priests’ ministry of overseeing worship is now the responsibility of pastors, elders and teachers.