Malachi 1 - Introduction
_MALACHI COMPLAINETH OF ISRAEL'S UNKINDNESS, OF THEIR IRRELIGION, AND PROFANENESS._ _Before Christ about 400._... [ Continue Reading ]
_MALACHI COMPLAINETH OF ISRAEL'S UNKINDNESS, OF THEIR IRRELIGION, AND PROFANENESS._ _Before Christ about 400._... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BURDEN— _The charge,_ or _message._... [ Continue Reading ]
YET I LOVED JACOB, &C.— These words are not to be taken according to modern ideas; for in Scripture, when love and hatred are spoken of God, are set in opposition to each other, and applied to his dispensations towards particular people, the propositions are not to be understood separate, but are to... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL BUILD, &C.— "The Edomites may rebuild their cities, but the Lord will raise against them the Maccabees, who shall subject them, and constrain them to receive circumcision, and the other laws and customs of the Jews." See Genesis 5:3. Exodus 10:16 and Joseph. Antiq. lib. 13: cap. 17.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YOUR EYES SHALL SEE, &C.— That is, the eyes of Israel, who are here addressed. See Malachi 1:1. The latter clause should be rendered, _The Lord hath done wonderfully for the borders of Israel._... [ Continue Reading ]
A SON HONOURETH HIS FATHER, &C.— "Those degrees of respect which were due to human authority, are in a more eminent manner to be paid to the supreme Lord of all. So the priests, who are dedicated to my service in a peculiar manner, behave themselves undutifully by that disrespect which they show to... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT YE SAY, &C.— Houbigant puts a semicolon at the end of this verse, and begins the eighth thus, _And when ye bring the blind for sacrifice, this seems not evil, nor when ye offer the lame and the sick._ The prophet reproves them for paying no reverence to the altar of God, but admitting victim... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS HATH BEEN BY YOUR MEANS— _Since this seem easy to you, will he,_ &c. Houbigant. The avaricious priests deny that there was any thing in the choice of victims, and aver that God would be as propitious to them upon the offering of an unclean as of a clean sacrifice. Therefore the prophet calls up... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS THERE EVEN AMONG YOU, &C.— _Yea, truly the doors will be shut because of you, that you may not kindle fire,_ &c. The similitude is continued which was taken from a _prince_ or _governor,_ Malachi 1:8 who would reject a blind or sick animal brought to him for tribute, and shut his doors agains... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN, &C.— In this and the preceding verse, we have two important points of our religion declared in the fullest manner: _First,_ the abolition of the sacrifices and ceremonies of the ancient law. The _second,_ a pure sacrifice offered to the Lord in every place and in eve... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FRUIT THEREOF, &C.— _And even the meat of it also is contemptible._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SAID ALSO, BEHOLD— _And in that ye say, depart hence; and while you reject some, you afterwards bring that which is torn, or lame, or sick, for an offering. Should I,_ &c. Houbigant. Those who understand it according to our translation, explain it thus; "You who have complained that a constant at... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH HATH IN HIS FLOCK A MALE— _Who, having in his stock that which is strong and sound, afterwards, having made a vow, sacrificeth into the Lord that which is sick; for,_ &c. Houbigant. REFLECTIONS.—1st, This word of the Lord to Israel is called a _burden:_ it contained sharp rebukes, and bound u... [ Continue Reading ]