MALACHI CHAPTER 2 The priests are sharply reproved for profaning the
covenant which was given them, ZECHARIAH 2:1; and the people for
marrying strange wives, ZECHARIAH 2:10, and treacherously putting away
their former ones, ZECHARIAH 2:13; and for impiety, ZECHARIAH 2:17.
THIS COMMANDMENT; either th... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE WILL NOT HEAR: this _if_ to the prophet was dubious, but to God,
who sent the prophet, it was not doubtful; but it was for monition to
the priests and Jews, and implied a condition of mercy if they would
yet hear, but an inevitable curse if they did not hear. IF YE WILL NOT
LAY IT TO HEART; if... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD; note it well, and consider. I WILL CORRUPT YOUR SEED; take
away the prolific virtue and strength of it, that it shall bring forth
none or little fruit: your seed you make plentiful, but you cannot
make your harvest so, nor will I, till you give me the glory I contend
for, and will have ere I... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YE, O priests, SHALL KNOW, by sense and feeling, by woeful
experience; or, know ye, i.e. but what I speak now, and will do among
you. I have sent this commandment; admonition, reproof, and
exhortation, to look more carefully for the future, that you do not
dishonour me, and make mine altar and s... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is one covenant that is more particular than any, a covenant of
priesthood between God and a particular tribe. WITH HIM: Levi is named
ZECHARIAH 2:4, and I will rest there, though I know some would have it
be Aaron, or Phinehas. OF LIFE AND PEACE; of long life, and
prosperous, by covenant under... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAW OF TRUTH; the law of God which is the truth, the doctrine of
the law according to the true meaning thereof. WAS IN HIS MOUTH; he
did teach it to the people, he resolved all cases by this law; Aaron,
Eleazar, Phinehas, or, as we must understand it, every one of those
godly priests or Levites,... [ Continue Reading ]
Those forementioned excellent priests did so teach, and so live,
forasmuch as they did well consider it was their duty to be well
acquainted with, and to have a great insight into, the law of God. THE
PRIEST'S LIPS SHOULD KEEP KNOWLEDGE; it is that their office binds
them to; it is the duty of all G... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YE, priests that now are in office, now live, when I, Malachi, am
sent to preach, are departed, have shamefully degenerated and turned
away from your duty, are apostates, OUT OF THE WAY OF GOD'S LAW, and
of those holy priests your predecessors; out of the way of truth,
holiness, peace, and equit... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, because you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, and have
dishonoured me, and made my sacrifices contemptible, HAVE I ALSO MADE
YOU CONTEMPTIBLE AND BASE; I have left you under the contempt of the
people, who think basely of you, as you deserve; you have dishonoured
me, and I have made, a... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE WE, we Jews, NOT ALL ONE FATHER? either Abraham, or Jacob, (not
Adam here intended,) with whom God made the covenant by which the
posterity was made a peculiar people, separated from other nations,
and on very weighty reasons forbid to join and intermix with strange
nations. Hath not one God cr... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDAH: though Judah only is named, yet the rest of the returned
captives are included. DEALT TREACHEROUSLY: see ZECHARIAH 2:10. AN
ABOMINATION; such treachery is a very abominable thing, God and all
good men abhor it, and yet here it is committed in Israel, who are
God's peculiar people, and above o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD WILL CUT OFF THE MAN THAT DOETH THIS; the family of those who
do this shall be destroyed utterly by the hand of God, he will punish
this crime. THE MASTER AND THE SCHOLAR; him that calleth and him that
answereth; there shall be left neither any to teach nor any to learn,
none to call nor an... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS HAVE YE DONE AGAIN; beside that first fault, you have committed
another, you slight, misuse, and afflict your Jewish wives, whom alone
you should have loved and cherished, but you make them drudges and
slaves to idolatresses, your new and illegal wives. COVERING THE ALTAR
OF THE LORD WITH TEARS... [ Continue Reading ]
YET YE SAY, WHEREFORE? though the fault was so great in the nature of
it, and so notorious in the evidence of it, these impudent sinners
will not see, but dispute what just cause God hath to reject their
offerings. BECAUSE THE LORD HATH BEEN WITNESS: the prophet answers
them God was witness both of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DID HE, God our Creator, not make one, but one man and one woman?
YET HAD HE THE RESIDUE OF THE SPIRIT; yet he could have made more men
and women; and if it had been good, and well-pleasing to him, he could
have made many women for one man; but though by his power he could,
yet in his wisdom, go... [ Continue Reading ]
The prophet enforceth his former exhortation, ZECHARIAH 2:15, with the
arguments laid here close together from the odiousness of the thing he
exhorts them to forbear. It is odious to the Lord, who changeth not,
but resents this evil practice as much as ever. God, Judge of wrongs
and the wronged, hat... [ Continue Reading ]
YE; ye priests and people, slight in your religion toward God.
Unfaithful in your covenant with your wives. HAVE WEARIED THE LORD
(after the manner of man this is spoken of God) with your words; your
perverse reasonings, or impious quarrellings against God, among which,
one most ungodly and atheisti... [ Continue Reading ]