Sometimes I wonder what God may have in store for my future.
What dreams does He have for me?
How will He use my single years for His glory?
If His plans include marriage for me, what kind of guy will my future husband be?
Maybe you have asked these questions, too.
Recently, while these question marks were swirling in my head, I ran across a tiny book of the Bible that stopped me in my tracks: Malachi. This last book of the Old Testament is only four chapters long, and chapter two rocked my world. The Lord encouraged my heart and gave me some ideas about how to pray for my future man. Let’s check it out together, and as you read it carefully, think about each character quality listed:
“So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts. 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. 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. 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. But you have turned aside from the way” (Mal. 2:4–8).
Who is this Levi guy? He sounds amazing!
Warning: history lesson ahead. (Don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz.)
If we flip back a few books in the Old Testament, we read that Levi was an actual person, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Gen. 49). But scholars believe that in this passage God wasn’t referring to that one guy, but to the the covenant He made with the tribe of Levi, a.k.a. the Levites (Num. 3:44–48, 18:8–24).
The Levites were supposed to be set apart for radical devotion to God. Moses’ brother Aaron served as the first appointed priest of the tribe of Levi and walked in obedience. However, the priests in Malachi’s day had strayed far from Aaron’s example of how a Levite should live, and they had not listened to the Lord. God used Malachi to remind His people what it really looks like to be set apart for Him.
Let’s review what God said about Levi (and his descendants):
  • He feared God.
  • He stood in awe of God’s name.
  • True instruction was in his mouth.
  • No wrong was found on his lips.
  • He walked with God in peace and uprightness.
  • He turned many from sin.
Wow, that’s an impressive list of character qualities! But before we get all caught up with how amazing a Levite was, let’s remember that the Levites were normal men. They weren’t perfect. As priests, they were a picture or foretaste of Jesus, who is our High Priest and the best example of the qualities we should be looking for in a godly mate.
As I pray and wait, I know that my future husband won’t be perfect either. He’ll be a sinner just like me.
As I pray and wait, I know that my future husband won’t be perfect either. He’ll be a sinner just like me. And God may not call him to be a pastor/priest like Aaron. That’s totally fine with me. I just want him to follow after Jesus. If he is following after Jesus, he’ll be a forgiven and justified man, grace-filled and passionately pursuing Christ. That’s the kind of man worth waiting for!
Maybe you have been dreaming about your future man and what he may be like. Spend some time praying through Malachi 2 for him today.
  • Pray that he would fear God.
  • Pray that he would be in awe of God and speak His name with reverence.
  • Pray that he would speak true and wise words to others.
  • Pray that he would be a man who walks with God.
  • Pray that God would use him to turn many from sin.
And as you wait and pray, ask God to help you become a Levi girl. (Be sure to come back tomorrow to see what a Levi girl really looks like!)
PS: For more on how to pray for your future husband, check out these posts from our archives.