THE hypocrisy and selfishness of the people, and particularly the priests, have been exposed in verses 6-10, for however men may deceive themselves and one another, God is not deceived. He declares that He has no delight in this people, and He will not accept (or be pleased with) an offering at their hand. Immediately after, however, He speaks of His determination that over this wide world, His name shall be great among the nations.
What a day that will be for this globe, when verse 11 is at length fulfilled; but it will not be accomplished through the preaching of the gospel of God’s grace which began when the Holy Spirit descended to form and indwell the “one body” of Christ, the Church, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). (See 2 Thessalonians 2; 2 Timothy 3; Jude 14-2514And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 14‑25)).
Nor will that happy fruition be attained through the Jews without a national repentance which has not yet begun among them. See Psalm 51:1313Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. (Psalm 51:13); the whole of the Psalm awaits a future day for its fulfillment. The fact is that the chosen people never have given to God His due; the truth of their own history was told them by the Holy Spirit in Acts 7, speaking through the first Christian martyr.
The present position of man, and in particular of the Gentiles, who have long known of the gospel, is in no small measure comparable to that of the Jews in the days of Malachi. The profession of God throughout the so-called Christian lands is in the many linked with an attitude toward Himself that must invite His judgement. Nor can it be said that God has left the world without warning (Acts 17:30, 3130And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30‑31)). Judgment will assuredly fall, for He will not suffer the present state of things (rapidly growing worse) to continue indefinitely.
It is enough, thought the Jews of Malachi’s time, to give to God that which is of little value, and which we cannot devote to our own. advancement. Is not this also sadly true in measure of very many of God’s people—His children—in our own day? Do we not give our own wants the first place, and yield to Him altogether too often the little that remains after our comforts and our plans for this and that have been cared for to the best of our ability?
A solemn word to the priests, who stood between the people and God, follows in the second chapter. They are reminded of the head of the family; Levi, and God’s covenant with him, for it is to the Word of God alone and not the teachings, or the practices of men, however pious, that His people are ever directed by Him. These, Levi’s children, were far removed from God’s holy Word in their conduct, and they had caused many to stumble; this assured to them just retribution (verse 9).
ML 11/21/1937