Malachi 3

Malachi 3:1

I Will send] Mar. 1. 2. Luke 1:76.

my messenger] My Angel, servant or Ambassadour: as Ezekiel 5:6. Malachi 2:7. here it is meant of John Baptist, an other Malachi, as Christ expoundeth it, Matthew 11:10. Luke 7:22.

prepare the way] By his preaching he will prepare mens hearts for to receive Christ, taking away all lets of hypocrisie, carnall pride, impietie, &c. See Isaiah 40:3.

whom ye seek] Meaning the Messiah, as Psalms 40:1. 7. Daniel 9:17. 25. towards whom all the hopes and thoughts of beleevers are bent.

suddenly] Presently after that John shall begin to preach, Christ the everlasting God shall appeare and publikely exercise his office, Matthew 3:11.

to his temple] Namely, the Temple in Jerusalem which was a figure of the Church, to preach there, and to use authoritie as in his own house. See John 2:14. 16.

messenger of the covenant] Namely, Christ, the publisher of the Covenant of grace. See Exodus 23:20-21. Isaiah 63:9. Hebrews 8:6. & Hebrews 9:15. & Hebrews 12:24.

Malachi 3:2

who may abide the day of his coming] His presence and preaching shall be accompanied with a most powerfull vertue of Gods Spirit, and with severe judgement to destroy all rebels, and to cleanse his Church. See Isaiah 4:4. Mat. 3. 10, 11, 12.

like fullers sope] Which was very ordinarily used to whiten wooll and to cleanse it.

Malachi 3:3

sit as a resiner] As a Judge. Or he represents his diligence and care about this work of cleansing his elect, likened to precious metals.

the sonnes of Levi] He beginneth with the Priests, that they might be lights and shine to others: Or he meaneth all true Christians made Priests, Revelation 1:6. to offer unto God spirituall sacrifices, Romans 12:1. figured by the ceremoniall sacrifices, Chap. 1. 11.

in righteousnesse] Rightly, lawfully, and according to his ordinance without default. See Psalms 51:19.

Malachi 3:4

Thou shall the offering] Chap. 1. 11.

former] Or, ancient.

Malachi 3:5

come neare to you to judgement] My Spirit shall effectually convince all sinners, Isaiah 4:4. John 16:8. and the execution shall speedily follow that inward conviction, John 16:8.

oppresse] Or, defraud.

Malachi 3:6

I am the LORD] Under the Gospel I will proceed with speedy operation of my spirit and judgement: whereas now I do use a great deale of clemencie and patience out of my meere mercy and constancie in my promises. See Lam. 3. 22, 23.

I change not] Numbers 23:19. Romans 11:29. James 1:17.

Malachi 3:7

return unto me] Zechariah 1:3.

Wherein shall we return] Wherein have we sinned that we should returne?

Malachi 3:8

tithes and offerings] Keeping those things back which are my right, and are to furnish out my service, and for the maintenance of my officers, Nehemiah 13:10.

Malachi 3:10

store-house] Of the Temple, 1 Chron. 26. 20. See the observation of this command, Nehem. 13. 12.

prove me now herewith] Whether, if ye obey my commandements, I will faile in my promises.

if I will not open you the windows of heaven] A figurative terme to signifie an abundance of good things. See Genesis 7:11. 2 Kings 7:2. 19. and on 2 Chronicles 31:10.

poure out] Heb. emptie out.

Malachi 3:11

for your sakes] Meaning the catterpillers, and whatsoever destroyeth corn and fruits.

destroy] Heb. corrupt.

cast her fruit before the time] They shall not lose their fruit by any accident.

Malachi 3:12

a delight some land] A most happy land, and abounding with all things that can be devised in the world.

Malachi 3:13

stout against me] 1 Samuel 2:3. Job 21:14. Jude 15. The Prophet condemneth them of double blasphemie against God: first, in that they said that God had no respect to them that served him; and next, that the wicked were more in his favour then the godly.

Malachi 3:14

It is in vain to serve God] Job 21:15. Psalms 73:13.

his ordinance] Heb. his observation.

walked mournfully] Heb. in black. As Job 30:28. Psalms 38:6. He seems to have relation to those fasts, which are set downe, Zechariah 7:3.

Malachi 3:15

we call the proud happy] An ordinary title given to sinners who sinne boldly and maliciously.

are set up] Heb. are built. Established and preserved in lasting happinesse.

tempt God] Psalms 95:9.

Malachi 3:16

Then they that feared the LORD] Whilest the wicked did blaspheme in this manner, the true beleevers opposed themselves against them, and strengthened themselves against those temptations.

a book of remembrance was written] God shall remember them in due time, and reward them for their faith and constancie. Termes taken from men, Psalms 56:8.

that thought upon his name] That have his feare alwaies in their hearts, and before their eyes: that meditate upon his grace and commandements: that have a care to call upon him, and do actually remember him in all his works.

Malachi 3:17

And they shall be mine] Exodus 19:5. Psalms 135:4. Titus 2:14.

when I make up my jewel] Or, speciall treasure. When I shall restore my Church according to my promise, they shall be as mine own proper goods.

I will spare them] That is, forgive their sinnes, and governe them with my Spirit.

Malachi 3:18

return and discern] You do wrongfully impute to God that he doth not reward those which serve him: but serve ye him heartily and uprightly, and then you shall find the effect of his promises, whereas now you deprive your selves of them; because your service is defiled with hypocrisie and impiety.