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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:1-18

3The Speedy Judgment1. This v. is closely connected with the preceding. It is the answer to the question, ’Where is the God of judgment?’ The messenger is evidently a prophet or a succession of prophets: cp. Deuteronomy 18:9-22. The phrase he shall prepare the way before me is probably borrowed from Isaiah 40:3-5, where the thought is that a highway must be prepared on which ’the Glory of the Lord’ may lead Israel to the land of Canaan. Zechariah (Zechariah 8:8) had promised that Jehovah would... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Malachi 3:1-18

REBUKE OF INFIDELITY. THE ADVENT OF THE LORD FORETOLD (Malachi 2:17 to Malachi 3:18).(17) A new section of the prophecy begins with this verse. The prophet now directs his reproofs against the people for their discontent and their want of faith in the promises of God, because the expected manifestation of God’s glory did not take place immediately. Because the doers of evil seem to flourish, the people say that God takes delight in them, “or” i.e., if this be not the case, “Where is the God of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Malachi 3:2

(2) This coming of the Lord to His temple acts as a crucial test (comp. Luke 2:35); the people ought, therefore, seriously to have considered how far they were prepared for that advent before they desired it so eagerly and impatiently. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Malachi 3:3

(3) Sons of Levi.—Meaning especially the priests, the sons of Aaron, son of Amram, son of Kohath, son of Levi (Exodus 6:16-20); for judgment must begin at the house of God. (Comp. Jeremiah 25:29; Ezekiel 9:6; 1 Peter 4:17.)In righteousness refers rather to the moral character of the offerer than to the nature of the sacrifices, as being such as were prescribed by the Law. This and the following verse do not, of course, imply that there are to be material sacrifices in Messianic times. The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Malachi 3:4

(4) Days of old . . . former years.—Perhaps, if we must define the period, from the time of Moses to the first year of the reign of Solomon. But we cannot be certain on this point. It seems to be one of the characteristics of Malachi to be somewhat of a laudator temporis acti. (Comp. Malachi 2:5-7.) read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Malachi 3:5

(5) All these crimes were explicitly forbidden by the Law. Sorcery (Exodus 22:18), adultery (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22), false-swearing (Leviticus 19:12), defrauding, or withholding of wages (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15), oppressing the widow and orphan (Exodus 22:22-24), doing injustice to a stranger (Deuteronomy 24:17; Deuteronomy 27:19). (Comp. also Zechariah 7:9-10; Zechariah 8:16-17.) read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Malachi 3:1-18

The Coming of the Lord Malachi 3:1 Here is a twofold prediction: we have a forerunner of Christ announced in it and then Christ Himself. I. This tells us two things of this forerunner. a. It points out his mission from God. Our Lord Himself refers to this passage, and says that it points to John the Baptist and the ministry of the Baptist b. The work this forerunner was to perform. The very appointment of a messenger to precede Jesus, even in His Humiliation, was a foresight and evidence of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Malachi 3:1-5

5. "WHERE IS THE GOD OF JUDGMENT?"Malachi 2:17; Malachi 3:1-5In this section "Malachi" turns from the sinners of his people to those who weary Jehovah with the complaint that sin is successful, or, as they put it, "Every one that does evil is good in the eyes of Jehovah, and He delighteth in them"; and again, "Where is the God of Judgment?" The answer is, The Lord Himself shall come. His Angel shall prepare His way before Him, and suddenly shall the Lord come to His Temple. His coming shall be... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Malachi 3:1-18

; Malachi 2:1-17; Malachi 3:1-18; Malachi 4:1-6PROPHECY WITHIN THE LAW"MALACHI" 1-4BENEATH this title we may gather all the eight sections of the Book of "Malachi." They contain many things of perennial interest and validity: their truth is applicable, their music is still musical, to ourselves. But their chief significance is historical. They illustrate the development of prophecy within the Law. Not under the Law, be it observed. For if one thing be more clear than another about "Malachi’s"... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Malachi 3:1-6

4. The Announcement of the Messenger and the Day of the Lord CHAPTER 3:1-6 In this chapter and in the next we have the prophecies of Malachi as to the Messiah and His forerunner. The last verse of the preceding chapter belongs rightly to this chapter. “Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied Him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?” It is this last bold... read more

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