The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. Ver. 1. _The burden_] That is, the burdenous prophecy (as Tremellius renders it): a burden, as, 1. Enjoined and imposed upon the prophet to utter, to cry aloud and not spare, to lift up his voice as a trumpet, &c., straining every vein in his... [ Continue Reading ]
I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? [Was] not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, Ver. 2. _I have loved you, saith the Lord_] Thou hast loved us (might they reply) while we were willing and obedient. Thou lovest them that love thee, Proverb... [ Continue Reading ]
And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Ver. 3. _And I hated Esau_] _i.e._ I loved him not as I did Jacob; I passed him by, and let him alone, to perish in his corruption and for his sin. And for his posterity, whereas they were carried cap... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. Ver. 4. _Whereas Edo... [ Continue Reading ]
And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel. Ver. 5. _And your eyes shall see_] "The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him," and say, "Lo, this is the man," &c., said David of Doeg the Edomite, Psalms 52:7. And the same is here prom... [ Continue Reading ]
A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I [be] a father, where [is] mine honour? and if I [be] a master, where [is] my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ver. 6. _A son honoureth his father_... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] contemptible. Ver. 7. _Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar_] Bread, that is, sacrifices and oblations (so Rabbi David expounds it out of Leviticus 21:6; Lev 3:3 Num 28:... [ Continue Reading ]
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, [is it] not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, [is it] not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. Ver. 8. _And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, &c._] Their profaneness in p... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. Ver. 9. _And now I pray you, beseech God_] Heb. Weary God with your prayers, press him till he be even sick of you; improve your uttermost interest... [ Continue Reading ]
Who [is there] even among you that would shut the doors [for nought]? neither do ye kindle [fire] on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. Ver. 10. _Who is there among you that would shut the doors_] To be a doorke... [ Continue Reading ]
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. Ver. 11. _For from the rising of... [ Continue Reading ]
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] polluted; and the fruit thereof, [even] his meat, [is] contemptible. Ver. 12. _But ye have profaned it_] Ye Jews, in general, though my peculiar people, and called by my name. You that quarter arms with me, as it were, and should,... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness [is it]! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought [that which was] torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. Ver. 13. _And ye have said also, Behold, what a weari... [ Continue Reading ]
But cursed [be] the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I [am] a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name [is] dreadful among the heathen. Ver. 14. _But cursed be that deceiver_] Cursed with a curse both verbal and penal;... [ Continue Reading ]