Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryMalachi 1

Ingratitude of Israel; Judgments and MerciesThe book of Malachi opens with a message called the burden of the word of the Lord

v. 2: God begins by reminding Israel of his great love: I have loved you, saith the Lord

v. 3-4: God shows the difference between his treatment of Israel and Edom. He destroyed the land of Edom and left it in ruins, while Israel was rebuilt after trouble. The Edomites said, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places (Malachi 1:4 ). But God said, They shall build, but I will throw down. Edom’s punishment would last, showing that God’s anger is real against those who oppose him. Israel, even if punished for a time, would be helped again. This is further explained in Isaiah 34:6,11 and Psalm 137:7 .

v. 5: The people of Israel will see that God’s love is real and will thank him. The Lord

The Priests Rebuked for Dishonoring God This section is a rebuke from God to the priests of Israel for showing Him disrespect. Instead of honoring God as their Father and Master, the priests treat His name as common and bring offerings that are not worthy of Him. God points out their hypocrisy and warns them that He will not accept their worship unless they change their ways. The passage teaches us that God deserves our best, and that religious leaders have a special responsibility to honor Him sincerely. God’s name should be treated with the highest respect, and empty rituals or careless service are offensive to Him.v. 6: God speaks to the priests: A son honours his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? (Malachi 1:6). God reminds them that, as their Father and Master, He should be respected. But the priests have despised His name. When confronted, the priests act as if they don’t know what they have done wrong. God accuses them of treating His name with disrespect by offering polluted sacrifices.

v. 7: Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord

v. 8: And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee? (Malachi 1:8). God asks if they would dare give such bad gifts to their human rulers. If their governor would not accept such poor offerings, why do they think God will? God deserves the best, not leftovers.

v. 9: And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? (Malachi 1:9). God warns that their empty prayers and sacrifices will not gain His favor. If they continue to disrespect Him, He will not listen to their prayers or accept their worship.

v. 10: Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord

v. 11: For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; (Malachi 1:11). God declares that, even if Israel dishonors Him, His name will be honored among the nations. People everywhere will worship the Lord

v. 12: But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord

v. 13: Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord

v. 14: But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord