Westminster Annotations, Malachi 1 – Obadiah 2
ANNOTATIONS ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET MALACHI.
CHAP. I.
Vers. 1. THE burden of the word] A commission for prophecie of reproofes and threatnings, Isa. 13. 1. Zach. 9 1.
Israel] That is, to all the people of severall Tribes, which were returned from Babylon.
by Malachi] Heb. by the band of Malachi. Malachi signifieth Angel or messenger, Mar. 1. 2. and endeth the Prophets. In him John Baptist is once called Malachi, Chap. 31. and again Elias, Chap. 4. 5. Saint Mark beginneth his Gospel with Malachi or Angel: Gabriel in the first speech of the New Testament beginneth with Elias, Luk. 1. 17. So sweetly in words hath God joyned the Old and New Testament, that they hid Apocrypha appeareth never to be breathed by Gods Spirit, nor to be any part of the Canon or rule of faith.
V. 2. was not Esau Jacobs brother] Consider the principall effect of my love, in that of meer grace I have chosen you to be my people in your father Jacob; rejecting Esau his brother, equall in all other things to him: whereupon all my blessings have dropped downe upon you, as your preservation, deliverance from captivitie, and reestablishment: whereof the Edomites have not been partakers.
loved Jacob] Rom. 9. 13.
V. 3. hated Esau] Jer. 49. 17, 18. Ezek. 35. 7. 9. Obad. 16, 17, 18 I have given him no part in my grace: but have left him as a sinner and corrupt under my wrath and judgement: which I have also declared in his irreparable destruction, which hath not befallen you, nor can befall my Church, which hath alway a remainder, and an issue out of her evils, Jer. 31. 36.
dragons of the wildernesse] Which have their dwellings in deserts and unfrequented places.
V. 4. We are impoverished] If they think they shall be restored out of their calamities, as you from the desolations which have befallen you by the Chaldeans, they shall find themselves deluded, Jer. 49. 7. 17.
V. 5. from the border of Israel] Or, upon. Heb. from upon. Even from his holy Temple the place of his abode, from whence he sheweth the glory of his power, to the destruction of his enemies.
V. 6. if then I be a father] Luk. 6. 46.
O priests] Besides the rest of the people he condemneth the Priests chiefly, for they should have reproved others for their hypocrisie, and obstinacie against God, and not have hardened them by their example to greater evils.
Whorein have we despised thy name] He noteth their grosse hypocrisie, which would not see their faults, but impudently cloaked them; and so were blind guides.
V. 7. Ye offer] Or, bring unto, &c.
polluted] Not lawfull nor acceptable, being defective, Levit. 22. 20. Deut. 15. 21.
bread upon mine altar] See Levit. 3. 11. and 21. 6. 8.
The table of the LORD] Namely, the Altar, Ezek. 41. 22. and 44. 16. The sense is, the Temple and the Altar since the returne from captivitie are so poore and different from the ancient splendour they were in, that they do not deserve to have such exact care taken of the beasts which are offered there, as formerly in the first Temple. See Zach. 4. 10.
V. 8. And] Levit. 22. 22. Deut. 15. 21.
if ye] Or, whereas.
for sacrifice] Heb. to sacrifice.
is it not evill] In your conceit? whereby he condemneth them, that think it sufficient to serve God partly a… he hath commanded, and partly after mans fantasie, and so come not to that purenesse of religion which he requireth, and therefore in reproach he sheweth them that a mortall man would not be content to be so served.
governour] As were Zerubbabel, Nehemiah, and other under the Empire of Persia: who had their provision assigned them upon the people, Neh. 5. 14, 15.
V. 9. beseech] He derideth the Priests, who bare the poeple in hand that they prayed for them, and sheweth that they were the occasion that these evils came upon the people.
God] Heb. the face of God.
by your means] Heb. from your hand.
will he regard your p…rsons] Will God consider your office and state, seeing you are so covetous, and profane contemners of his service?
V. 10. wo…ld shut the doores] Because the Levites which kept the doores did not try whether the sacrifices that came in, w…re according to the Law, God wisheth them that they would rather shut the doores, then to receive such as were not perfect.
for nought] For I do recompence you largely for your service▪ by tithes, first fruits, offerings, &c.
offering at your hand] Isa. 1. 11. Jer. 6. 20. Amos 5. 21.
V. 11. great among the Gentiles] God sheweth that their ingratitude, and neglect of his true service, shall occasion the calling of the Gentiles: and here the Prophet that was under the Law framed his words to the capacitie of the people; and by the altar and sacrifice he meaneth the spirituall service of God which should be under the Gospel, when an end should be put to all these legall ceremonies by Christs onelyonly sacrifice: as Isa. 66. 23. Zach. 14. 16. Mal. 3. 4. See Joh. 4. 21. 23. 1 Tim. 2. 8.
V. 12. ye have profaned] Dishonoured the name of God, bearing no respect nor obedience to what he hath commanded.
is polluted] The altar hath been spoiled by the Chaldeans: and the sacrifices are not offered with that anci…nt sacred solemnitie.
fruit thereof] Whereby is meant whatsoever is offered upon the altar.
V. 13. Ye said also] Though ye do me but little service, and that after an ill manner, yet you complain of it, as if it were a burden to you.
and ye have snuffed at it] Or, whereas you might have blown i… away.
torn] By wild beasts.
V. 14. the deceiver] That doth not proceed plainly, nor directly in Gods service: but having abilitie to serve the Lord according to his word, yet will do it according to his base covetous mind.
which hath in his flock] Or in whose flock is.
a male] Without any blemish, according to the law of burntofferings, Levit. 1. 3. 10. because that in sacrifices of thankesgiving females were also accepted of, Levit. 1. 3. 6.
CHAP. II.
Vers. 1. THis commandement is for you] To procure the puritie and entire observance of my worship.
V. 2. If ye will not heare] Levit. 26. 14, &c. Deut. 28. 15, &c.
unto my name] To serve me according to my word.
I will curse your blessings] Namely, the goods which you have through my bounty.
V. 3. corrupt] Or, reprove. I will curse your seed, and cause it not to encrease.
spreade] Heb. scatter.
dung upon your faces] I will make you abject, and abominable, vers. 9. and will degrade you from your sacred honour, putting you from before me, as the dung of sacrifices which were offered upon festivall dayes was carried away out of sight. See Levit. 4. 11, 12▪
one shall take you away with it] Or, it shall take you away to it.
V. 4. might be with Levi] That the Priesthood might remain in his race with my favour and blessing, as I formerly promised, as it were by an especiall covenant.
V. 5. My covenant was with him] The Tribe of Levi, specially Aaron, and some of those who were presently after him, enjoyed the honour of this office with all manner of blessings, length of life, and prosperitie. See Neh…m. 13. 29.
the fear wherewith] Deut. 33. 8, 9.
V. 6. The law of truth] He expounded and taught my law in righteousnesse, and in truth.
iniquitie was not found in his lips] No false doctrine, evill life, or unjust judgement.
me in peace and equitie] In an humble and quiet obedience, without any rebellion, which is alwaies turbulent.
V. 7. For the priests lips should keep knowledge] Deut. 17. 9, 10. Jer. 18. 18. He is as the treasure house of Gods word, and ought to give to every one according to their necessitie, and not to reserve it to himselfe.
messenger] Or, Ambassadour of the reconciliation between God and men, Eccles. 5. 6. Hag. 1. 13. 2 Cor. 5. 20. and a Minister and instrument of the great Angel of the Covenant, which is Christ, Isa. 63. 9. Shewing that whosoever doth not declare Gods will, is not his messenger and minister.
V. 8. stumble at the law] Or, fall in the law. Namely, by your evill example, or by defect of admonishing instruction: Or by giving them occasion to disdaine Gods service by reason of the ministers wickednesse. See 1 Sam. 2. 17. Jer. 18. 15.
ye have corrupted] Nehem. 13. 29.
V. 9. Therefore have I] 1 Sam. 2. 30.
have been partiall] Or, lifted up the face against. Heb. accepted faces.
partiall in the law] To favour or wrong men you have subverted my law, either in doctrine, or in judgement, Ezek. 22. 26. Zech. 3. 4.
V. 10. Have we not] Ephes. 4. 6.
one father] Namely, the heavenly one, which is God: Or in the flesh, namely, Abraham.
one God created us] Which is the generall foundation of justice among men, who are of one and the same nature, though of different qualities and conditions: and must all answer before Gods judgement seat, as his creatures. See Job 31. 15.
covenant of our fathers] Not onelyonly the naturall, but the spirituall right also, of being the children of God through grace.
V. 11. profaned the holinesse] Hath dishonoured the holy name of Gods people, which they beare, and all other signes of his covenant, by which God hath sanctified them to himselfe, separating them from profane nations.
loved] Or, ought to love.
and hath married] Ezr. 9. 1. & 10. 2. Nehem. 13. 23.
daughter of a strange god] They have joyned themselves in marriage with them that are of another religion, forbidden, Deut. 7. 3. This was the first part of their treacherous dealing concerning marriages.
V. 12. The LORD will out off the man] He speaketh to the Priests and Levites, who had also sinned in these forain marriages, Ezr. 9. 1. & 10. 18. Neh. 13. 28. and this threatning seemeth to be directed to them who should not willingly submit themselves to the reformation of this fault, appointed by Ezra: Or to those who should after fall into the like.
the master and the scholar] Or, him that waketh, and him that answereth. Or, him that watcheth, and him that singeth. He meaneth the porters and singers of the Temple. The sense is, that either by an accursed death, or by excommunication out of the Church, I will cause him and all his posteritie to be uncapable of having any such sacred office. See Neh. 13. 28.
V. 13. done again] You have not onelyonly married strange women, but have also afflicted your own lawfull wives, bringing in strangers to vex them. See Levit. 18. 18. 1 Sam. 1. 6. The second fault the Prophet accuseth them of, is for adding crueltie to profanenesse.
covering the altar] You have caused your poore wives to poure out dolefull lamentations before mine altar, which are like a thick cloud, that will not suffer your offerings to be looked upon, nor accepted by me.
V. 14. witnesse between thee and thy wise] Of the matrimoniall promises, made as it were in his presence, with invocation of his name. See Pro. 2. 17.
the wife of the covenant] Thy first lawfull wife, with whom having spent thy youthfull dayes, thou now beginnest to contemne, and hate her in her old age.
V. 15. did not he make one] Did not God in the beginning create Adam alone, out of whom he framed Eve to be his wife, without creating any more women for one man, or more men for one woman? shewing thereby that as he ordained matrimonie by one onelyonly law of lawfull conjunction: so it likewise ought to be of one with one, and two in the same flesh, Gen. 2. 23, 24. Matt. 19. 5.
yet had he] He could, had he pleased, have created more living persons at once.
residue] Or, excellencie.
might seek] Gods chiefe end in this proceeding was, that the posteritie might be sanctified, being born in chast wedlock, according to his appointment: whereas it is defiled by all manner of unlawfull conjunctions.
a godly seed] Heb. a seed of God.
take heed to your spirit] As your life and salvation is deare unto you.
let none deale treacherously] Or, unfaithfully. Defrauding, or otherwise abusing his lawfull wife, for concubines.
V. 16. that he hateth] Or, If he hate her, put her away. Here is a third fault in putting away their lawfull wives upon pretence of the law. Deut. 24. 1. as it is alledged, Mat. 5. 31. but the Prophet telleth them, God hateth putting away.
putting away] Heb. to put away.
for one covereth violence] Heb. and he covereth, &c. Meaning, he that puts her away excuseth this violence by the law of God given by Moses concerning divorce: but therein such did injurie both to their lawfull wives, and to the law of God, Deut. 24. 4. See Mat. 5. 32. and 19. 9.
V. 17. Ye have] Isa. 43. 24.
wearied the LORD] Grievously and intolerably offended him. See Chap. 1. 13.
Every one that doth evil] Saying that God favoureth the wicked: Or if it be not so, why doth he leave them unpunished, and in the mean while afflict good men? Chap. 3. 15.
judgement] Thus they blasphemed God in condemning his power and justice, because he judged not according to their fantasies.
CHAP. III.
Vers. 1. I Will send] Mar. 1. 2. Luk. 1. 76.
my messenger] My Angel, servant or Ambassadour: as Ezek. 5. 6. Mal. 2. 7. here it is meant of John Baptist, an other Malachi, as Christ expoundeth it, Matth. 11. 10. Luk. 7. 22.
prepare the way] By his preaching he will prepare mens hearts for to receive Christ, taking away all lets of hypocrisie, carnall pride, impietie, &c. See Isa. 40. 3.
whom ye seek] Meaning the Messiah, as Psal. 40. 1. 7. Dan. 9. 17. 25. towards whom all the hopes and thoughts of beleevers are bent.
suddenly] Presently after that John shall begin to preach, Christ the everlasting God shall appeare and publikely exercise his office, Matth. 3. 11.
to his temple] Namely, the Temple in Jerusalem which was a figure of the Church, to preach there, and to use authoritie as in his own house. See Joh. 2. 14. 16.
messenger of the covenant] Namely, Christ, the publisher of the Covenant of grace. See Exod. 23. 20, 21. Isa. 63. 9. Heb. 8. 6. & 9. 15. & 12. 24.
V. 2. who may abide the day of his coming] His presence and preaching shall be accompanied with a most powerfull vertue of Gods Spirit, and with severe judgement to destroy all rebels, and to cleanse his Church. See Isa. 4. 4. Mat. 3. 10, 11, 12.
like fullers sope] Which was very ordinarily used to whiten wooll and to cleanse it.
V. 3. sit as a resiner] As a Judge. Or he represents his diligence and care about this work of cleansing his elect, likened to precious metals.
the sonnes of Levi] He beginneth with the Priests, that they might be lights and shine to others: Or he meaneth all true Christians made Priests, Rev. 1. 6. to offer unto God spirituall sacrifices, Rom. 12. 1. figured by the ceremoniall sacrifices, Chap. 1. 11.
in righteousnesse] Rightly, lawfully, and according to his ordinance without default. See Psal. 51. 19.
V. 4. Thou shall the offering] Chap. 1. 11.
former] Or, ancient.
V. 5. come neare to you to judgement] My Spirit shall effectually convince all sinners, Isa. 4. 4. Joh. 16. 8. and the execution shall speedily follow that inward conviction, Joh. 16. 8.
oppresse] Or, defraud.
V. 6. I am the LORD] Under the Gospel I will proceed with speedy operation of my spirit and judgement: whereas now I do use a great deale of clemencie and patience out of my meere mercy and constancie in my promises. See Lam. 3. 22, 23.
I change not] Num. 23. 19. Rom. 11. 29. Jam. 1. 17.
V. 7. return unto me] Zech. 1. 3.
Wherein shall we return] Wherein have we sinned that we should returne?
V. 8. Will a man rob God] There are none of the heathen so barbarous, that will defraud their gods of their honour, or deale deceitfully with them. See Gen. 47. 22.
V. 8. tithes and offerings] Keeping those things back which are my right, and are to furnish out my service, and for the maintenance of my officers, Neh. 13. 10.
V. 10. store-house] Of the Temple, 1 Chron. 26. 20. See the observation of this command, Nehem. 13. 12.
prove me now herewith] Whether, if ye obey my commandements, I will faile in my promises.
if I will not open you the windows of heaven] A figurative terme to signifie an abundance of good things. See Gen. 7. 11. 2 King. 7. 2. 19. and on 2 Chron. 31. 10.
poure out] Heb. emptie out.
V. 11. for your sakes] Meaning the catterpillers, and whatsoever destroyeth corn and fruits.
destroy] Heb. corrupt.
cast her fruit before the time] They shall not lose their fruit by any accident.
V. 12. a delight some land] A most happy land, and abounding with all things that can be devised in the world.
V. 13. stout against me] 1 Sam. 2. 3. Job 21. 14. Jude 15. The Prophet condemneth them of double blasphemie against God: first, in that they said that God had no respect to them that served him; and next, that the wicked were more in his favour then the godly.
V. 14. It is in vain to serve God] Job 21. 15. Psal. 73. 13.
his ordinance] Heb. his observation.
walked mournfully] Heb. in black. As Job 30. 28. Psal. 38. 6. He seems to have relation to those fasts, which are set downe, Zach. 7. 3.
V. 15. we call the proud happy] An ordinary title given to sinners who sinne boldly and maliciously.
are set up] Heb. are built. Established and preserved in lasting happinesse.
tempt God] Psal. 95. 9.
V. 16. Then they that feared the LORD] Whilest the wicked did blaspheme in this manner, the true beleevers opposed themselves against them, and strengthened themselves against those temptations.
a book of remembrance was written] God shall remember them in due time, and reward them for their faith and constancie. Termes taken from men, Psal. 56. 8.
that thought upon his name] That have his feare alwaies in their hearts, and before their eyes: that meditate upon his grace and commandements: that have a care to call upon him, and do actually remember him in all his works.
V. 17. And they shall be mine] Exod. 19. 5. Psal. 135. 4. Tit. 2. 14.
when I make up my jewel… ] Or, speciall treasure. When I shall restore my Church according to my promise, they shall be as mine own proper goods.
I will spare them] That is, forgive their sinnes, and governe them with my Spirit.
V. 18. return and discern] You do wrongfully impute to God that he doth not reward those which serve him: but serve ye him heartily and uprightly, and then you shall find the effect of his promises, whereas now you deprive your selves of them; because your service is defiled with hypocrisie and impiety.
CHAP. IIII.
Vers. 1. BƲrn as an oven] He prophecieth of Gods judgements against the wicked, who would not receive Christ, when as God should send him for the restauration of his Church: whereof he had spoken, Chap. 3. 2, 3. and which fell out in the last destruction of Jerusalem. Others expound it of the miseries, which the Jews suffered after the dayes of Malachi under the Grecian Kings of Syria and Egypt, untill the coming of Christ.
neither root nor branch] Proverbiall termes: as Job 18. 16. & 29. 19. Isa. 5. 24. Amos 2. 9.
V. 2. sunne of righteousnesse] Luk. 1. 78.
arise with healing in his wings] By faith ye shall know and enjoy Christ, who shall be a devouring fire to the wicked, but to his elect a Sunne yeelding a quickening and comfortable heat, Ephes. 5. 14. by vertue of his perfect righteousnesse, by which he will reconcile them to God his Father, and obtain his Spirit for them; which shall regenerate, sanctifie, and save them perfectly. See Isa. 60. 1. 2. 19.
ye shall go forth] A description of the libertie of the Spirit in the elect, in joy, vigour, and readinesse of spirituall motions. See 2 Cor. 3. 17.
grow up] Or, encrease. See Jer. 50. 11.
V. 3. ye shall tread down the wicked] A representation of the Churches victories over her spirituall enemies, which is very frequent in the Prophets.
V. 4. Remember ye] Because the time was come that the Jews should be destitute of Prophets untill the time of Christ, that they might more fervently desire his coming; the Prophet exhorteth them to exercise themselves diligently in studying the Law of Mose in the mean season, whereby they might continue in the true religion; and also be armed against all temptations.
the law of Moses] Exod. 20. 3.
in Horeb for all Israel] Deut. 4. 10.
V. 5. Elijah the prophet] Matth. 17. 12. Mark. 9. 11. This Christ expoundeth of John the Baptist, Matth. 11. 13, 14. who shall come in the spirit and power of Eliah, Luk. 1. 17. and is aptly compared to him both for his zeale and restoring religion.
the great and dreadfull day] That magnificent appearing of the Sonne of God in the flesh, accompanied with the consuming power, set down, Chap. 3. 2. and 4. 1. especially in regard of the Jews, who shall be destroyed by him for their rebellion and ingratitude.
V. 6. he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children] His preaching shall be to bring back the children of Israel that are gone astray, to the true faith and piety of their forefathers: whereby Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who (as one may say) did not acknowledge them, Isa. 29. 22, 23. shall reaccept them for their lawfull posteritie: which thing fayling, I will finally and totally destroy the whole nation.
The end of the Annotations on the Prophets.
The ARGUMENT of the Book of the Prophet JOEL.
JOELS time of prophesie is not specified by the holy Historie: yet some learned think it to be when Hosea prophesied; and more particularly, in that time of Anarchie when the Kingdom of Israel was void, and two and twenty yeers (as may be gathered by these places of Scripture; 2 Kings 14. 23. and 15. 1, 8.) without a King: namely, from the sixteenth of Ozias King of Judah, untill his eight and thirtieth; when Zachary reigneth in Israel, the fourth from Jehu, 2 Kings 10. 30. Joel denounceth a generall Judgement of Dearth and Famine, caused by an extreme Drought, and a multitude of Insects destroying Creatures, some eating what others left; swarms of Caterpillers with Lions teeth. Then he exhorteth to Repentance, shewing, it must be generall, of all persons of every age and condition; and earnest, yea, hearty, because they had generally offended; and it must be testified by Mourning, and humbling themselves before the Lord in Fasting and Prayers: Which if they do, the Prophet, from God, promiseth Deliverance from that terrible Plague of Famine; and that their Afflictions and Losses should be removed, and recompensed by a wonderfull plenty, not onelyonly of Temporall, but Spirituall blessings, under the Messiah; foretelling of the Gifts of the holy Spirit which should be abundantly sent at Pentecost. Lastly, they shall have Redemption from their Enemies, Life and Liberty, though they seemed now dead. Joel first threatneth the Famine, and calleth for Lamentation and Mourning, Chap. 1. Then he exhorteth to publike Repentance, promising a blessing thereon, Chap. 2. Lastly, be comforteth them, by destruction of Enemies, and Gods blessings on his Church, Chap. 3.
The ARGUMENT of the Book of the Prophet AMOS.
THe Prophecies of Amos and Hosea have a great Conformity, both in respect of the time when, and the persons to whom they were sent. Amos prophesied in the days of Uzziah King of Judah; and Jeroboam the son of Joash, King of Israel; and telleth Judah and Israel, that, for their Idolatry, Cruelty, Inhumanity, Wantonnesse, and Corruption in every kinde, they both should be punished, as well as their profane Neighbour-nations, by an Overthrow of both Kingdoms: and further, that the…r Sun should be darkened at noon-day; that is, When Israel thought themselves at the height of State, they should be cast off, for obscuring the Sun of Righteousnesse: Yet God would build again the Tabernacle of David, return his captived People into their own Land, and both Judah and Israel, Hos. 1. 11. under one Head, Zerubbabel, should go up to build the Temple, in hope and expectation that the Head of the Church, the promised and expected MESSIAH should, in the time foretold them, come into his own House at Jerusalem. Two yeers before an Earthquake, Amos foretelleth these strange Shakings: Aram of Captivity to Kyr; Jeroboams house of a Ruine; and Judah to be captived: Yet Judah and Israel should be restored to Christ, with Edom, or all Nations: see Acts 15. Amos his Prophecie telleth of Gods Judgements; first, against the neighbour Nations, Enemies of the Church, Chap. 1 & 2. Secondly, against the sins of his People; and that, first, in plain Speech; secondly, under a double Type. His plain Speech, or Sermons, are either generall, against the Jews Ingratitude, Chap. 3. Violence and Incorrigiblenesse, Chap. 4. Impiety, Pride, and Inhumanity, Chap. 5. Wantonnesse, Chap. 6. Or speciall, concerning Amazia, who accused Amos of Conspiracie, and his Family, Chap. 7. The Types signifying the approaching Subversion, are, first, a basket of Summer fruit, Chap. 8. Secondly, the Altar or Temple strucken and shaken, signifying Gods abdicating his House and People, Chap. 9. Which is ended with Evangelicall Promises concerning the Reedifying and Restoring the Church, and making it Catholike, by and under Christ.
The ARGUMENT of the Book of the Prophet OBADIAH.
OBadiah terrifieth the Idumeans, who came of Esau, Jacobs brother, yet were they Capitall and Implacable Enemies to Jacobs Posterity, the Church of God, not onelyonly▪ vexing them with Cruelties, but also stirring up others to fight against them. After the Prophet had upbraided their Violence, he dehorteth them from doing so any more, and then comforteth them. The sum of this Prophecie is to tell, that Edom would help to destroy Jerusalem, and after that, Edom should soon be destroyed: yet in time, Conquerours from Sion, that is, Apostles, shall conquer them, by bringing them through the Gospel, to the true Faith, and so submitting Edom to the Yoke of Christ.