Malachi 3:1

CHAPTER III

In allusion to the custom of sending pioneers to prepare the

way for the march of an eastern monarch, the coming of

Christ's forerunner is described, and then the coming of

Christ himself, 1;

with the terrible judgments which were to accompany that event,

in order to refine and purify his people and his priests, 2-6.

The following verses reprehend them for withholding the legal

tithes and offerings, with large promises in case of their

repentance and amendments, 7-12.

The prophet expostulates with the people for their hard and

profane speeches against the conduct of Providence, and

declares God will one day make a fearful and final distinction

between the righteous and the wicked, whose different

characters are in the mean time carefully recorded, 13-18.

NOTES ON CHAP. III

Verse Malachi 3:1. Behold, I will send my messenger] מלאכי Malachi, the very name of the prophet. But this speaks of John the Baptist. I, the Messiah, the Seed of God, mentioned above, will send my messenger, John the Baptist.

He shall prepare the way] Be as a pioneer before me; a corrector of civil abuses, and a preacher of righteousness.

And the Lord, whom ye seek] The Messiah, whom ye expect, from the account given by the prophet Daniel, in his seventy weeks, Daniel 9:24.

Shall suddenly come to his temple] Shall soon be presented before the Lord in his temple; cleanse it from its defilement, and fill it with his teaching and his glory.

The Messenger of the covenant] He that comes to fulfil the great design, in reference to the covenant made with Abram, that in his seed all the families of the earth should be blessed. See the parallel texts in the margin, and the notes on them.