Bible Commentary

Malachi 2:1-9

Matthew Henry on Malachi 2:1-9

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

What is here said of the covenant of priesthood, is true of the covenant of grace made with all believers, as spiritual priests. It is a covenant of life and peace; it assures all believers of all happiness, both in this world and in that to come.

It is an honour to God's servants to be employed as his messengers. The priest's lips should not keep knowledge from his people, but keep it for them. The people are all concerned to know the will of the Lord.

We must not only consult the written word, but desire instruction and advice from God's messengers, in the affairs of our souls. Ministers must exert themselves to the utmost for the conversion of sinners; and even among those called Israelites, there are many to be turned from iniquity.

Those ministers, and those only, are likely to turn men from sin, who preach sound doctrine, and live holy lives according to the Scripture. Many departed from this way; thus they misled the people. Such as walk with God in peace and righteousness, and turn others from sin, honour God; he will honour them, while those who despise him shall be lightly esteemed.

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commentaryThe Office of the Priesthood; Charge against the Priests; The Priests Censured and Threatened. (b. c. 400.)THE OFFICE OF THE PRIESTHOOD; CHARGE AGAINST THE PRIESTS; THE PRIESTS CENSURED AND THREATENED. (B. C. 400.) What was said in the foregoing chapter was directed to the priests (Malachi 1:6): Thus saith the Lord of hosts…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 2:1This commandment. The threat or announcement is called a commandment, because God ordains it and imposes its execution on certain instruments. (For the expression, camp. Le 25:21.) The threat is contained in Malachi 2:2…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 2:1-3Spiritual reformation. "And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you," etc. The grand subject we gather from these words is spiritual reformation. "Now, O ye priests." The priests are specially addressed and repro…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 2:1-17EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 2:1-4§ 4. For these derelictions of duty the priests are threatened with punishment.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 2:2The cursing of our blessings. The direct address of this verse is to the priestly classy whose irreverence and indifference were so clearly shown in their offering the people's unworthy sacrifices, without attempting to…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 2:2Our blessings cursed. The cursing of blessings is a "strange work" to the blessed God, "the Father of mercies," who rather delights to turn curses into blessings. We may note— I. THE CAUSES OF THIS CURSE. It may be trac…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 2:2I will even send a curse; Revised Version, then will I send the curse. St. Jerome, regarding the temporal effect of the curse, translates, egestatem "scarcity" (comp. Deuteronomy 27:15-26; Deuteronomy 28:15, etc.). I wi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors