Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryMalachi 2

The Priests Rebuked and Warned This section gives a message from God to the priests of Israel. God reminds them of the special covenant he made with the tribe of Levi, giving them the privilege and responsibility to guide the people in worship and teach them God’s law. But instead of fulfilling their duties faithfully, the priests have become careless, partial, and self-serving. Because of this, God threatens to judge and shame them if they do not change their ways. v. 1: God speaks directly to the priests, making it clear that this commandment is especially for them. The leaders and teachers are responsible for how the people worship and understand God. If the priests fail in their duty, the people will also go astray.

v. 2: God warns the priests that if they do not listen and do not take his words seriously, he will curse their blessings. Their work will not be successful, and even the things that should be good for them will become a curse. God wants them to honor his name, and if they refuse, they will lose his favor.

v. 3: God says that if the priests continue in their careless ways, he will punish them severely. Their descendants will suffer, and their ceremonies and offerings will become disgusting to him. He will spread the refuse of their sacrifices on their faces, making them ashamed and rejected. This means God will publicly disgrace them and remove their honor.

v. 4: God explains that he is sending these warnings so the priests will realize that he is serious about the covenant he made with Levi. He wants them to respect and fulfill their responsibilities as priests, just as he commanded from the beginning.

v. 5: God reminds the priests about the special covenant of life and peace he made with Levi. The priests were supposed to fear and honor God, and as a result, God would give them life, peace, and blessing.

v. 6: In the past, good priests taught the truth and lived righteous lives. They walked with God and helped many people turn away from sin. Their teaching was honest, and their behavior matched their words.

v. 7: Priests are supposed to be God’s messengers. People should be able to go to them for knowledge and guidance about God’s law. The priests should keep knowledge and wisdom ready to share with the people.

v. 8: But the current priests have turned away from the right path. They have caused many people to stumble and sin because of their bad example and false teaching. They have broken the covenant that God made with Levi by not doing their job faithfully.

v. 9: As a result, God has made the priests despised and humiliated in front of all the people. Because they have not followed God’s ways and have shown favoritism in their teaching, they have lost their respect and honor. This is a warning that God judges leaders more strictly, and it is important for those who serve him to be faithful and just.

Unfaithfulness in Marriage and Faithlessness to the Covenant This section is a warning from God about unfaithfulness—not just in religious life, but also in family and marriage. God reminds His people that He is the Father of all and the Creator of everyone. Yet, the people of Israel have not kept their promises to God or to each other. They have disobeyed God’s covenant and have married people who worship idols. This unfaithfulness brings dishonor to God and brings trouble on themselves. God wants His people to be loyal—both to Him and in their marriages. He especially hates divorce and wants families to stay together and raise godly children.v. 10: God asks, Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? (Malachi 2:10). God reminds the people that they are all part of one family—He created them all. Yet, they betray each other and break the sacred promises made to their ancestors. By acting this way, they dishonor God’s covenant.

v. 11: Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the Lord

v. 12: The Lord

v. 13: And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord

v. 14: Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord

v. 15: And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. (Malachi 2:15). God made husband and wife to be one. He wants families to stay together and to raise children who know and love God. So, God warns everyone to be careful and not to betray their spouse.

v. 16: For the Lord