CHAP. III. V. 1-4. It is evident that JEHOVAH himself here speaks; and he says, "Behold, I will send my messenger to prepare the way before me ." Now John the Baptist, who beyond doubt was intended, prepared the way before Christ. ( Marg . Ref . a, b.- Notes , 4:46. Is . 40:3-8. Matt . 3:3. 11:7-11. Mark 1:1,2. Luke 1:11-17, υυ . 16,17,76-79.
John 1:6-9,19 -28.) Then "the Lord," (the same whom David called "his Lord," Note , Ps . 110:1.) "whom they sought" and expected, would "come to his temple," or his own temple, which could not be fulfilled in Christ, unless he were the Lord and Proprietor of the temple. ( Note , Hag . 2:6-9.) He would "come suddenly," or immediately after his forerunner had announced his approach: and this he did, when he repeatedly cast out the buyers and sellers from it, and there daily preached to the people. ( Marg . Ref . c.-Notes, Matt. 21:12,13,23-27. Luke 2:21-32,41-52.
John 2:13-17.) He would be "the Angel," or "Messenger, of the was not this designed, that, with united atten-covenant," even the new covenant of mercy tion, both parents might bring up their poster- and grace, which he came to mediate. ( Notes , ity in the fear and service of God? Can there- Gen. 48:15,16. Ex . 23:20–23. Is . 63:9.
Acts 7: fore polygamy or divorces on frivolous pre-30-36, υυ . 30,35.) In the prospect of his comtences, be reconcilable with this appointment? ing the Jews professed to delight.-'He is the And does not the imperious and unfaithful conduct of many professed Christians, to the wives of their youth, form a perfect contrast to
'person ye delight in, whose coming is so much 'desired, the time of it being the subject of your 'search and inquiry, and the expectation of it
the love of Christ to his espoused church? 'your comfort ort and delight.' Lowth . But, who
among the people would be able to abide his coming, and stand the test of his doctrine, and the trying dispensations which would attend the setting up of his of his kingdom? For he would resemble "the refiner's fire and the fuller's soap," and no hypocrite or wicked man could abide the test. He would "sit is a refiner of gold and silver," silver," to purify his church, and the hearts of his people, from all dross; and thus he would prepare a pure race of ministers, and a spiritual priesthood, (instead of the corrupt and rejected tribe of Levi,) who might present before him a holy worship, as pleasant to him as the services and sacrifices of the most eminent believers, in the purest times of the ancient church. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . d-m.-See
(Notes and P. O. Eph. 5:21-33.) If men would "take heed to their spirits," they would find, that their behavior in relative life springs from base selfishness, which disregards the welfare of society, and the happiness of individuals, when put in competition with the indulgence of their base passions and unreasonable caprices; however they they may cloke their violence by other pretences. Yet we may the less wonder at their cruelty to their inferiors, when they weary God himself with their impiety and infidelity; and when they take occasion from his righteous rebukes to blaspheme his name, and charge nim with partiality and injustice. But they who inquire in this daring manner, "Where is the God of judgment?" will soon be answered by his appearing toon Note , 1:9-11, v . 9.— Notes . 4:1. Is . 1:25-27.
5 And I will come near to you to judg-|| robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have ment; and I will be a swift witness against we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, 9 and against those that * oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right , and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
6 For I am the LORD; I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not con sumed .
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye dall the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, fand prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it .
7 Even * from the days of your fa11 And I will rebuke the devourer for thers ye are gone away from mine ordinan-your sakes, and he shall not destroy the
ces, and have not kept them . Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, "Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? yet ye have n 2:17. Ps. 50:3-6. 96:13.98: |t Num. 23:19. 1 Sam. 15:29. 9. Ez. 34:20-22. Heb. 10.30, 31. Jam. 5:8,9. Jude 14,15.
o 2:14. Ps. 50:7. 81:8. Jer. 29: 23. Mic. 1:2. Matt. 23:1435.
p Lev. 20:6,10,27. Deut. 5:11, 17-21. Jer. 7:9,10. Ez. 22: 6-12. Zech. 5:3,4. 1 Cor. 6: 9,10. Gal, 5:19-21. Rev. 21: 8. 22:15.
q Ex. 22:21-24. Lev. 19:13. Deut. 24:14,15,17. 27:19. Prov. 22:22,23. 23:10,11. Jer. 22:13 -17. Jam. 5:4.
* Or, defraud. 1 Thes. 4:6. r Gen. 20:11. 42:18. Ex. 1:17. 18:21. Neh. 5:15. Ps. 36:1. Prov. 8:13. 16:6. Luke 23:40. Rom. 3:18.
s Gen. 15:7,18. 22:16. Ex. 3: 14,15. Neh. 9:7,8. Is. 41:18. 42:5-8. 43:11,12. 44:6.45:58. Jer. 32:27. Hos. 11:9.
Ps. 102:26. Heb. 6:18. 13:8. Jam. 1:17. Rev. 1:8. 22:13. u Ps. 103:17. 105:7-10. Is. 40:
fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be ma delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
13 Your words have been stout 28-31. Lam. 3:22,23. Rom. against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say,
5:10. 8:28-32. 11:28,29. Phil. 1:6. 2 Thes. 2:13,14.
x Deut. 9:7-21. 31:20,27-29. Neh. 9:16,17,26,28-30. Ps. 78:8-10. Ez. 20:8,13,21,28. Luke 11:48-51. Acts 7:51, 52.
y Lev. 26:40-42. Deut. 4:29 31.30:1-4. 1 Kings 8:47-19 Neh. 1:8,9. Is. 55:6,7. Jer. 3: 12-14,22. Ez. 18:30--32. Hos 14:1. Zech. 1:3. Jam. 4:8.
z 13. 1:6. Is. 65:2. Luke 15:16. Rom. 7:9. 10:3,21.
a Ps. 29:2. Prov. 3:9,10. Matt. 22:21. Mark 12:17. Luke 20: 25. Rom. 13:7.
4:3,4. 48:9-11. 61:4-6.66:19-23. Zech. 13:8, 9. 14:20,21. Matt . 3:7-12. Heb . 13:15,16. 1 Pet . 1:6,7. 2:4-6,9,10. Rev. 1:4-6. 5:8-10.)
V. 5, 6. (2:17.) The coming of Christ would
b 1:8,13. Lev. 5:15,16. 27:234. Num. 18:21-32. Josh. 7:
Luke 5:6,7. 12:16,17. John 21: 6-11.
11. Neh. 13:4-14. Rom. 2: i Joel 2:20. Am. 4:9. 7:1-3.
22.
c 2:2. Deut. 28:15-19. Josh. 7: 12,13. 22:20. Is. 43:28. Hag. 1:6-11. 2:14-17.
d 2 Chr. 31:4-10. Neh. 10:33 -39. Proν. 3:9,10.
e 1 Chr. 26:20. 2 Chr. 31:1119. Neh. 12:44,47, 13:5,10
13.
f 1 Kings 17:13-16. Ps. $7:3. Hag. 2:19. Matt. 6:33. 2 Cor. 9:6-8.
g Gen. 7:11. Deut. 28:12. 2 Kings 7:2,19.
† Heb. empty out. E.c. 11:3. h Lev. 26:10. 2 Chr. 31:10.
Hag. 2:17.
Heb. corrupt.
k Deut. 11:14. Jer. 8:13. Joel 1:7,12. 2:22. Hab. 3:17. Zech. 8:12.
1 Deut. 4:6,7. 2 Chr. 32:23. Ps. 72:17. Is. 61:9. Jer. 33:9. Zeph. 3:19,20. Zech. 8:23. Luke 1:43.
m Deut. 3:7-10. 11:12. Dan. 8:9. 11:41.
n 2:17. Ex. 5:2. 2 Chr. 32:14 -19. Job 34:7,8. Ps. 10:11. Is. 5:19. 28:14,15. 37:23. 2 Thes. 2:4.
be followed by the condemnation and punish-tions of Israel, to perform his promises to their
ment of the Jewish nation. He would come "near unto them to judgment, and ... be a swift witness," to testify that their works were evil: (Note, John 7:3-10, v . 7.) and thus he would speedily convict the sorcerers, and other notorious criminals, of which the bulk of the nation at that time principally consisted; and then he would bring them to condign punishment. Indeed the prevalence of the sins here enumerated, and of similar crimes, caused the Jews to reject Christ and his holy gospel, and thus brought on the ruin of the nation. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref. n-r.- Notes , 2:13-17.
Ps . 50:321, ου 6,7,18-21. Jer . 7:5-7. 22:13-19, υυ . 13, 14,17 29:21-23. Zech.5 :1-4. Matt . 23:13-33. John 3:19-21. Acts 7:50-52. 1 Cor . 6:9-11. Gal . 5:19-21. Jam . 4:1-6.5:1-6. Rev. 21:58, v. 8. 22:14,15.) -JEHOVAH, being immutable in his nature and purposes, would not consume the nation, or cast them off, however wicked, till the Messiah was come: but then his immutable justice, holiness, and truth, required him to punish them for their enormous wickedness. (Marg. Ref. s-u.- Notes , Ex . 3:14,15. Num . 23:19. Ps . 102:25-28 . Is . 40:27-31 . Lam . 3:21 -23. Rom . 11:25-32, υυ . 28,29.
Heb . 6:16-20. 13:7,8.) The people might indeed imagine, that in the days of the Messiah, the Lord would deal with them more leniently; as if he had not continued the same holy and just God, as when
gospel, is too merciful to punish sinners; or at least that he makes far more allowances for sin than formerly: but, as his immutable perfection had hitherto led him, amidst all the provocafathers; so the same immutable perfection would still induce him, when the Messiah was come, to "magnify his law," to glorify his justice, and to honor his truth and holiness, by the condign punishment of all the impenitent and unbelieving. ( Notes , Heb . 2: 1-4 . 10:2831. 12:22-25.)
V. 7-12. The Jews in the time of Malachi copied the sins of their fathers, and proudly excused their conduct; instead of repenting and returning unto God, that he might return to them.
It must be allowed to be the height of atrocious wickedness for a man to rob God: yet they had been guilty of this daring injustice; for they had not paid him the tithes and oblations, which he claimed from them, as the portion allotted to his ministers, the priests and Levites, but had sacrilegiously appropriated them to their own use: and the whole nation was involved in this guilt, and lay under his awful curse for it.
But let them render him what he demanded as his due, or rent, as it were, for the land, that the priests and Levites might have no excuse for their secularity, and thus put his truth to the trial; and their consequent prosperity should cause all the nations to admire their felicity, and the beauty and fertility of their country. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . - Notes , Lev . 27:30--34. Num . 18:25-32. Josh . 6:17-19. 7:10-18. 2 Chr . 31:3-19. Neh .
he gave the law! Thus many nominal Chris- || 10:28-39. 13:10-13. Prov . 3:9,10. Hag . 1:5tians seem to suppose, that God, under the 11. 2:15-19. Matt . 6:33,34. 22:15-22, υ. 21. 2
• What have we spoken so much against Lord hearkened, and heard it , and a thee?
14 Ye have said, PIt is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his * ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD OF hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy; s yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
16 Then they * spake often one
that feared the LORD to another: y and the
ο 8. 1:6-8, 2:14,17. Job 40:8. Jer. 8:12. Rom. 9:20.
p Job 21:14. 22:17. 34:9. 35:3. Ps. 73:8-11. Is. 58:3. Zeph. 1:12.
Heb. observation.
q Is. 58:3. Joel 2:12. Zech. 7: 3-6. Jam. 4:9.
↑ Heb. in black.
r 4:1. Esth. 5:10-14. Ps. 10:3, 4. 49:18,19. Dan. 4:30,31,37. 5:20-28. Acts 12:21-23.1 Pet. 5:5.
s 2:17. Job 12:6. 21:7-15,30. Prov. 12:12. Ec. 9:1,2. Jer. 12:1,2. Hab. 1:13-17. Heb. built. Job 22:23.
t Num. 14:22,23. Deut. 6:16. Ps. 78:18,41,56. 95:9, 106:14.
Matt. 4:6,7. Acts 5:9, 1 Cor. 10:9. Heb. 3:9.
u 5. 4:2. Gen. 22:12. 1 Kings 18:3,4,12,13. Job 28:28. Ps. 33:18. 111:10. 112:1. 147:11.Is. 50:10. Acts 9:31. 10:2. Rev. 15:4.
x Deut. 6:6-8. 1 Sam. 23:16 18. Esth. 4:5-17. Ps. 16: 3. 66:16. 73:15-17. 119:63. Prov. 13:20. Ez. 9:4. Dan. 2:17,18. Luke 2:38. 24:14- 31. John 1:40-47. 12:20- 22. Acts 1:13, &c. 2:1,&c. 4: 23-30. 1 Thes. 5:11,14. Heb. 3:13. 10:24,25, 12:15.
y 2 Sam. 7:1-4. 2 Chr. 6:7,8. Ps. 139:4. Matt. 18:19,20. Acts 4:31-33.
Cor . 9:8-11. Phil . 4:14—20, υυ . 18,19.) - Open you the windows, &c. (10) Marg . and Marg . Ref . g.
V. 13-18. Many bold infidels and impious persons were found among the Jews, who spake "stout words" against God, and justified them. They thought all the time and expense employed in his service lost to them: they attended his ordinances, with many expressions of self-denial and humiliation; but they derived no profit from them: and they concluded, and openly avowed their opinion, that those haughty rebels, who cast off all religion, and tempted God by their presumptuous wickedness, were the most prosperous and happy persons. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . n-t.- Notes , 1:6-8. 2: 17. 4:1.
Num . 14:22,23. Job 21:7-16, vυ . 14,15. 34:5-9. 35:1-3.73:2-14. Is . 58:3,4. Hab . 1:12 -17. Zech . 7:2-7. Luke 15:25-32, υυ . 29,30.) -There was, however, a remnant of humble pious believers, who met together from time to time, that they might confer on religious subjects, animate one another to their duty, and inquire what might be done to stop the progress of this daring impiety. Of these, and of their pious desigus and discourses, the Lord took special notice, and, as it were, kept a register. ( Marg . Ref . u-a.- Notes , 4:2,3. 1 Sam . 23:16. Esth . 6:1,2. Matt . 12:33-37.
Rev. 20:11 -15, ν . 12.) He would surely preserve them as his portion and "peculiar treasure;" and no more suffer one of them to be lost, than a kind father would destroy his dutiful and obedient son among his inveterate enemies. So that the people, in the event seeing this, would retract their erroneous judgments, in supposing that the wicked are happy, and the righteous miserable: for they would discern a manifest difference in the condition of those who did, and those who did not, serve God.
The connexion of this passage may be referred to the times of Christ, and the fate of the believing and unbelieving Jews: but it will be fulfilled in a far more striking manner at the day of judgment. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref. b-g. Notes, Josh. 24:15. Jer. 32:38-41. Dan . 12:1-3. John 6:36-40. 10:26-31. Rom . 2:4-6.2 Thes . 1:5
book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, & between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.
z Esth. 2:23. 6:1. Job 19:23- 25. Ps. 56:8. Is. 65:6. Dan. 7:10. Matt. 12:35-37. Rev. 20:12.
a Ps. 10:4. 20:7. 94:19. 104:33, 34. Is. 26:3. marg. 8,9. Heb. 4:12,13.
b Cant. 2:16. Jer. 31:33. 32: 38,39. Ez. 16:8. 36:27,28. Zech. 13:9. John 10:27-30. 17:9,10,24. 1 Cor. 3:22,23. 6: 20. 15:23. Gal. 5:24. 2 Thes. 1:7-10. Rev. 20:12-15.
Or, special treasure. Ex. 19: 5. Deut. 7:6. 14:2, 26:17,18. Ps. 135:4. Is. 62:3,4. Tit. 2: 14. 1 Pet. 2:9.
-10. Tit . 2:14. 1-3.)
c Neh. 13:22. Ps. 103:8-13. Is. 26:20,21. Jer. 31:20. Zeph. 2:2. Matt. 25:34. Rom. 8:32. 2 Cor. 6:18. 1 John 3:1-3. d 1:6. 1 Pet. 1:13-16.
e 14,15. 1:4. Job 6:29. 17:10. Jer. 12:15. Joel 214. Zech. 1 : 6 .
f Gen. 18:25. Ps. 58:10,11. Is. 3:10,11. Dan. 12:1-3. Matt. 25:46. Prom. 2:5,6. 2 Thes. 1:5-10.
g Josh. 24:15. Dan. 3:17-26. John 12:26. Acts-16:17. 27:23. Rom. 1:9. 6:16-22. 1 Thes. 1:9.
1 Pet . 1:2-5,13-16. 1 John 3: סגלה . "Special treasure."
Marg . (See on Note , Ex . 19:5.- Note , 1 Pet. 2:9,10.) -The same word being used by the prophet, in speaking of a pious remnant of Israel, in his own days, or in those of the Messiah, which had been employed by Moses concerning the nation of Israel; illustrates the apostle's doctrine concerning a remnant of Israel, and only a remnant, that could be called "Israel." ( Notes , Rom . 9:6-9,22-29. 11:1— 10. -See also Notes , Ps . 73:1. John 1:47-51, v . 47.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
The Lord Jesus prepares the sinner's heart to be his temple, by the ministry of his word, and the humiliating convictions of his Spirit; and then he speedily enters it as the most gracious messenger of peace and consolation.But no hypocrite or formalist can endure his doctrine, or stand before his tribunal; and no idol or lust can maintain its ground, when he takes possession of the believer's heart.
He refines his people "as a purifier of silver;" that he may render them "zealous of good works," and make them "a spiritual priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices," acceptable and well pleasing to the Father through him. Yet the upright Christian needs not fear the fiery trial of afflictions and temptations, in which the Savior refines his gold: for he will take care that it shall not be more intense or durable, than is needful for his good; and this trial will terminate far otherwise, than that which he will make of the wicked at the last day.
Then he will be a swift witness to convict them of impiety and iniquity: and their destruction will result from his unchangeable justice; even as the salvation of the righteous from his unchangeable truth and love. We have all departed from God, and robbed him of his glory and worship; and have been guilty of inexcusable sacrilege in spending his talents on ourselves; and grosser sacrilege often brings whole nations under a curse. But let "us return to
NOR, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But unto you that fear my name shall f the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
a 5. 3:2. Ez. 7:10. Joel 2:1,31. Zeph. 1:14-16. Zech. 14.1,2. Luke 19:43,44. 21:20-24.2 Pet. 3:7-12.
b Ps. 21:9,10. Nah. 1:5,6. Zeph. 1:18. 2 Thes. 1:8.
с 3:15,18. Ex. 15:7. Ps. 119: 119. Is. 2:12-17. 5:24. 40:24. 41:2. 47:14. Ob. 18. Nah. 1: 10.
d Job 18:16. Am. 2:9.
e 3:16. Ps. 85:9. Is. 50:10. 66: 1.2. Luke 1:50. Acts 13:26. Rev. 11:18.
f 2 Sam. 23:4. Ps. 67:1. 84:11. Prov. 4:18. Is. 9:2. 30:26. 49:
6. 60:1--3,19,20. Hos. 6:3. Matt. 4:15.16. Luke 1:78. 2: 32. John 1:4,8,14. 8:12. 9:4. 12:35,36,40. Acts 13:47. 26: 18. Eph. 5:8-14. 2 Pet. 1: 19. 1 John 2:8. Rev. 2:28. 22:16.
g Ps. 103:3. 147:3. Is. 53:5. 57: 18,19. Jer. 17:14. 336. Ez. 47:12. Hos. 6:1. 14:4. Matt. 11:5. Rev. 22:2.
h Ruth 2:12. Matt. 23:37.
i Ps. 92:12-14. Is. 49:9,10, 55: 12,13. Jer. 31:9-14. Hos. 14: 7. John 15:2-5. 2 Thes. 1:3. 2 Pet. 3:18.
God, and he will return to us:" and he who makes trial will soon find, that nothing is lost by "honoring the LORD with his substance," and expending liberally in supporting his cause. Infidels and Pharisees will not believe this; but speak stout words in justifying themselves, and objecting to the divine dispensations; yet they will soon be silenced and confuted. The Lord notes the pious words of those who fear his name and seek his glory.
He is graciously present when they meet to converse and pray together. (Note, Matt . 18: 19,20.) He will preserve them as his jewels, when the earth shall be burned up as dross: yea, he will acknowledge them as his beloved children, who served him in the midst of a crooked and perverse world.
And at the day of judgment, the different appearance of the righteous and the wicked; their different reception by the Judge, and their different feelings respecting him; the different discoveries made of them, and the different places allotted to them, will make all the world retract their foolish censures, and confess that they alone were wise, honorable, and happy, who "served the LORD" and trusted in him.
NOTES.