1 The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
2 Israel Beloved of God “I Deut. 4:37; 7:8; 23:5; Is. 41:8, 9; (Jer. 31:3); John 15:12 have loved you,” says the Lord . “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the Lord . “Yet Rom. 9:13 Jacob I have loved;
3 But Esau I have hated, And Jer. 49:18; Ezek. 35:9, 15 laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.”
4 Even though Edom has said, “We have been impoverished, But we will return and build the desolate places,” Thus says the Lord of hosts: “They may build, but I will Jer. 49:16–18 throw down; They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, And the people against whom the Lord will have indignation forever.
5 Your eyes shall see, And you shall say, Ps. 35:27; Mic. 5:4 ‘The Lord is magnified beyond the border of Israel.’
6 Polluted Offerings “A son (Ex. 20:12); Prov. 30:11, 17; (Matt. 15:4–8; Eph. 6:2, 3) honors his father, And a servant his master. (Is. 63:16; 64:8); Jer. 31:9; Luke 6:46 If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Mal. 2:14 Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’
7 “You offer Deut. 15:21 defiled food on My altar, But say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, Ezek. 41:22 ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’
8 And Lev. 22:22; Deut. 15:19–23 when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he (Job 42:8) accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts.
9 “But now entreat God’s favor, That He may be gracious to us. Hos. 13:9 While this is being done by your hands, Will He accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts.
10 “Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, 1 Cor. 9:13 So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” Says the Lord of hosts, Is. 1:11 “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.
11 For Is. 59:19 from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great Is. 60:3, 5 among the Gentiles; 1 Tim. 2:8 In every place Rev. 8:3 incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; Is. 66:18, 19 For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the Lord of hosts.
12 “But you profane it, In that you say, Mal. 1:7 ‘The table of the Lord is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’
13 You also say, ‘Oh, what a Is. 43:22 weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” Says the Lord of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Lev. 22:20 Should I accept this from your hand?” Says the Lord .
14 “But cursed be Mal. 1:8 the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord Lev. 22:18–20 what is blemished— For Ps. 47:2 I am a great King,” Says the Lord of hosts, “And My name is to be feared among the nations.