\\INTRODUCTION TO MALACHI 2\\

This chapter contains a reproof both of priests and people for their
sins. It begins with the priests, \\#Mal 2:1\\ and threatens, in case they
attend not to glorify the name of the Lord, they and their blessings
should be cursed, their seed corrupted, dung spread upon them, and they
took away with it, \\#Mal 2:2,3\\ and the end of this commandment being sent
them, of giving glory to the name of God, was that the covenant might
appear to be with Levi, or him that was typified by him, \\#Mal 2:4\\ of
which covenant some account is given, with the reason why the blessings
of it were given to him, with whom it was, \\#Mal 2:5\\ who is described by
the true doctrine he preached; by the purity of his lips; by the
peaceableness and righteousness of his walk and conversation; and by his
usefulness and success in turning many from sin, \\#Mal 2:6\\ and it being
part of the priest's office to preserve true knowledge, and communicate
it, it is the duty of the people to seek to him for it; since he is the
messenger of the Lord, \\#Mal 2:7\\ but as for the priests of those times
the prophet respects, they were apostates from the way of the Lord; made
others to stumble at the law, and corrupted the covenant; and therefore
became contemptible, base, and mean, in the sight of the people,
\\#Mal 2:8,9\\ who are next reproved for their marrying with those of other
nations, idolatrous persons; and using polygamy and divorces, which were
a profanation of the covenant of their fathers; a piece of perfidy and
treachery among themselves; an abomination to the Lord; a profanation of
his holiness; and led to idolatry, \\#Mal 2:10,11\\ wherefore they are
threatened to be cut off from the tabernacles of Jacob, and their
sacrifices to be rejected; insomuch that the altar is represented as
covered with weeping and tears, because disregarded, \\#Mal 2:12,13\\. The
reason of which was, because marrying more wives than one, and these
strange women, was dealing treacherously with their lawful wives; was
contrary to the first creation of man, and the end of it; and therefore
such practices ought to be avoided; and the rather, since putting away
was hateful to the Lord, \\#Mal 2:14-16\\ and the chapter is concluded with
a charge against them, that they wearied the Lord with their wicked
words; affirming that the Lord took delight in the men that did evil;
and that there were no judgment, truth, nor righteousness, in him,
\\#Mal 2:17\\.