‏ Malachi 2

* The priests reproved for neglecting their covenant. (1-9) The

people reproved for their evil practices. (10-17)

1-9 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. 10-17 Corrupt practices are the fruit of corrupt principles;

and he who is false to his God, will not be true to his fellow

mortals. In contempt of the marriage covenant, which God

instituted, the Jews put away the wives they had of their own

nation, probably to make room for strange wives. They made their

lives bitter to them; yet, in the sight of others, they pretend

to be tender of them. Consider she is thy wife; thy own; the

nearest relation thou hast in the world. The wife is to be

looked on, not as a servant, but as a companion to the husband.

There is an oath of God between them, which is not to be trifled

with. Man and wife should continue to their lives' end, in holy

love and peace. Did not God make one, one Eve for one Adam? Yet

God could have made another Eve. Wherefore did he make but one

woman for one man? It was that the children might be made a seed

to serve him. Husbands and wives must live in the fear of God,

that their seed may be a godly seed. The God of Israel saith

that he hateth putting away. Those who would be kept from sin,

must take heed to their spirits, for there all sin begins. Men

will find that their wrong conduct in their families springs

from selfishness, which disregards the welfare and happiness of

others, when opposed to their own passions and fancies. It is

wearisome to God to hear people justify themselves in wicked

practices. Those who think God can be a friend to sin, affront

him, and deceive themselves. The scoffers said, Where is the God

of judgement? but the day of the Lord will come.