(17) And they shall be . . . my jewels.—Better, And they shall be to me, saith the Lord of hosts, a special possession, on the day that I am about to make. “Special possession” (Exodus 19:5).Day . . . make.—The same expression occurs in Malachi 4:3. (Comp. Psalms 118:24.) read more
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
; 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
The Remnant and the Concluding Prophecy CHAPTER 3:16-4:6 In the midst of all these moral conditions, the apostasy of the masses, we find a pleasing picture of a godly portion, whom the Lord mentions in a special manner. There were those who feared the Lord. They had no sympathy with the wicked practices of their brethren; they did not share the contempt and unbelief manifested by the rank and file of the people. They were drawn together by the Spirit of God; they had fellowship one with... read more
3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day {q} when I make up my jewels; and I will {r} spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.(q) When I will restore my Church according to my promise, they will be as my own proper goods.(r) That is, forgive their sins, and govern them with my Spirit. read more
THIRD DIVISION (Malachi 3:5 to Malachi 4:3 ) consists of an address to the people as a whole, who like the priests, are charged with three kinds of offenses. The first is certain public wrongs in The second is the failure to support the temple and its ministers (Malachi 3:8-12 ), in which case notice the charge of divine robbery, and the blessing promised to faithfulness in tithes. The third is the same kind of skepticism as with the priests (Malachi 3:13-15 ). The prediction concluding this... read more
A Gallery of Pictures Malachi 1-4 We have some pictures in the prophecy that are very vivid, and some of them very humiliating. For example, we have a picture of the utterest selfishness in Malachi 1:10 : "Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought." Yet they sang how good a thing it was to be but a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord. Men do not come to this kind of selfishness all at once. For some degrees of... read more
I include the whole of these verses under one reading, in order to observe in them what the last verse expresseth, the discerning between the righteous and the wicked. And what can more strikingly set these things forth than what is here said. Here is the Lord's charge against all ungodly, carnal, careless, and Christless persons. What is their conduct, their language, their manners, their behavior? The whole may be summed up in Job's account, they say unto God, that is, if not in word, yet... read more
CHAPTER III. Possession; ( peculium ) the property of a slave. (Calmet) --- Such look upon the smallest things with eagerness. Hebrew segula, (Haydock) means some precious thing. (Calmet) --- Spare. Septuagint, "chose," &c. (Haydock) read more
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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