The only mutiny in the long history of the Royal Navy took place in 1933. The seamen’s wages had been cut in a bid to head off the nationwide depression. In retaliation, the seamen attacked their officers. But the men of the Royal Marines defended the officers against the rest of the crew. To this day Royal Marines are quartered between the officers and crew on every ship, although it is now mainly symbolic.
When King David’s son Absalom staged a mutiny against his father, many of the king’s men went over to the revolutionary. But Zadok the priest remained faithful and protected the king (see 2 Samuel 15: 1 – 37). They were rewarded by being appointed priests in Jerusalem for many years. As faithful men, they fulfilled their role with pride.
It comes as a surprise, therefore, to read what Malachi had to say about the priests in his day:
“The priests’ lips should guard knowledge, and people should go to them for instruction, for the priests are the messengers of the Lord Almighty. But not you! You have left the God’s paths. Your guidance has led many to stumble into sin. You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites, says the Lord Almighty”
Malachi 2: 7 – 8
Something had gone wrong. The faithful men had become unfaithful. They had “corrupted the covenant” (Mal. 2: 8), failed to live in obedience, and God did not treat it lightly.
Peter wrote that Christians are now “a kingdom of priests” (1 Pet. 2: 9). That means that we have access to the Father through the Son, and we are called to live in a manner befitting our high standing. This requires faithfulness – like Marines standing at their post.
It’s not always easy, but with faithfulness we can do it.
