Malachi 1

The coming of the Messiah will first of all be for testing and judgement (iii. 2-9; iv. 1), then for restoration and blessing to all who honour Him (iii. 10-16). Under His glorious reign God shall be honoured (iii. 16), distinction shall be made between the good and the evil (iii. 18), generous offerings shall be brought into God’s house (iii. 10), God’s commandments shall be observed (iv. 4), family life and affection shall be restored (iv. 6), and peace and prosperity shall smile upon the nation (iii. 11, 12).

1 the burden. “The oracle”: see on Isa. xiii. 1.

3. I hated Esau. From the context it is clear that the posterity rather than the persons of the brothers are here intended. See Rom. ix. 13.

and laid his mountains, etc. Rather, as R.V., “And I made his mountains a desolation, and [gave] his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness”: cp. Isa. xiii. 21, 22; xxxiv. 13. According to either rendering, utter desolation (4) is meant. Respecting the agreement of historical facts with this prediction, see notes on Isa. xxxiv.; Jer. xlix. 17-22; and on Obadiah.

4 impoverished. Or, “beaten down,” R.V.

will return and build. Or, “will rebuild”: according to the common Heb. idiom. Edom does not seem to have been carried into captivity.

5 from the border of Israel. Or, “beyond the border of Israel”: i.e., in alien territory (R.V.).

6. O priests, that despise My name. The glory of which they were set apart to maintain.

7 polluted bread. One kind of offering is specified as including all. Instead of presenting the best, they give the worst, such as they would not have dared to offer to their earthly ruler (8).

8 if. Rather, “when” (R.V.).

[Is it] not evil? Lit., as R.V., “it is no evil?” ironically. Or before this exclamation “ye say” may be supplied.

9. Will He regard your persons? Try now whether such offerings will appease Jehovah’s anger, which you have brought upon us. Nay, He will not regard you.

10. Who [Is there] even among you, etc.? Or, “Oh that there were one among you that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle [fire on] Mine altar in vain!” R.V.; i.e., let My worship be discontinued altogether, rather than be conducted in a manner which gives Me no pleasure.

11. Incense [shall be] offered unto My name. The spiritual services of the new dispensation are described in figures borrowed from the institutions and worship of the old, which the priests had so grievously perverted. Incense is the symbol of prayer. Cp. John iv. 23, 24.

12 contemptible. Complaining of the inadequacy of the portion assigned for their own maintenance.

13 ye have snuffed at it. You have despised it. torn. Rather, “taken by violence,” R.V.

Thus ye brought an offering. Rather, “Thus ye bring the offering.”

14 a corrupt thing. Lit., “a blemished female.”