3 but I have hated Esau , and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness ." 4 Though Edom says , "We have been beaten down , but we will [1] return and build up the ruins "; thus says the Lord of hosts , "They may build , but I will tear down ; and men will call them the [2]wicked territory , and the people [3]toward whom the Lord is indignant forever e ." 5 Your eyes will see this and you will say , " The Lord [4]be magnified beyond e the [5]border of Israel !"
6 " 'A son honors his father , and a servant his master . Then if I am a father , where is My honor ? And if I am a master , where is My [6]respect ?' says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name . But you say , 'How have we despised Your name ?' 7 "You are presenting defiled [7] food upon My altar . But you say , 'How have we defiled You?' In that you say , 'The table of the Lord is to be despised .' 8 "But when you present the blind for sacrifice , is it not evil ? And when you present the lame and sick , is it not evil ? [8]Why not offer it to your governor ? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive e you kindly ?" says the Lord of hosts . 9 "But now [9]will you not entreat God's favor , that He may be gracious to us? [10]With such an offering on your part , will He receive e any of you kindly ?" says the Lord of hosts . 10 "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the [11]gates , that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar ! I am not pleased with you," says the Lord of hosts , " nor will I accept an offering from [12]you. 11 "For from the rising of the sun even to its setting , My name will be great among the nations , and in every place incense is going to be offered e to My name , and a grain offering that is pure ; for My name will be great among the nations ," says the Lord of hosts . 12 "But you are profaning it, in that you say , 'The table of the Lord is defiled , and as for its fruit , its food is to be despised .' 13 "You also say , '[13]My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the Lord of hosts , "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick ; so you bring the offering ! Should I receive that from your hand ?" says the Lord . 14 "But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord , for I am a great King ," says the Lord of hosts , "and My name is [14] feared among the [15]nations ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Malachi 1:3-15
Commentary on Malachi 1:1-5
(Read Malachi 1:1-5)
All advantages, either as to outward circumstances, or spiritual privileges, come from the free love of God, who makes one to differ from another. All the evils sinners feel and fear, are the just recompence of their crimes, while all their hopes and comforts are from the unmerited mercy of the Lord. He chose his people that they might be holy. If we love him, it is because he has first loved us; yet we all are prone to undervalue the mercies of God, and to excuse our own offences.
Commentary on Malachi 1:6-14
(Read Malachi 1:6-14)
We may each charge upon ourselves what is here charged upon the priests. Our relation to God, as our Father and Master, strongly obliges us to fear and honour him. But they were so scornful that they derided reproof. Sinners ruin themselves by trying to baffle their convictions. Those who live in careless neglect of holy ordinances, who attend on them without reverence, and go from them under no concern, in effect say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. They despised God's name in what they did. It is evident that these understood not the meaning of the sacrifices, as shadowing forth the unblemished Lamb of God; they grudged the expense, thinking all thrown away which did not turn to their profit. If we worship God ignorantly, and without understanding, we bring the blind for sacrifice; if we do it carelessly, if we are cold, dull, and dead in it, we bring the sick; if we rest in the bodily exercise, and do not make heart-work of it, we bring the lame; and if we suffer vain thoughts and distractions to lodge within us, we bring the torn. And is not this evil? Is it not a great affront to God, and a great wrong and injury to our own souls? In order to the acceptance of our actions with God, it is not enough to do that which, for the matter of it, is good; but we must do it from a right principle, in a right manner, and for a right end. Our constant mercies from God, make worse our slothfulness and niggardliness, in our returns of duty to God. A spiritual worship shall be established. Incense shall be offered to God's name, which signifies prayer and praise. And it shall be a pure offering. When the hour came, in which the true worshippers worshipped the Father in Spirit and in truth, then this incense was offered, even this pure offering. We may rely on God's mercy for pardon as to the past, but not for indulgence to sin in future. If there be a willing mind, it will be accepted, though defective; but if any be a deceiver, devoting his best to Satan and to his lusts, he is under a curse. Men now, though in a different way, profane the name of the Lord, pollute his table, and show contempt for his worship.