Malaquías 2:1-9

Juicio contra los sacerdotes

1 »Ahora, pues, este mandato es para ustedes, los sacerdotes.

2 Si no me hacen caso ni se deciden a honrar mi nombre —dice el SEÑORTodopoderoso—, les enviaré una maldición, y maldeciré sus bendiciones. Ya las he maldecido, porque ustedes no se han decidido a honrarme.

3 »Por esto, voy a reprender a sus descendientes. Les arrojaré a la cara los desperdicios de los sacrificios de sus fiestas, y los barreré junto con ellos.

4 Entonces sabrán que les he dado este mandato, a fin de que continúe mi pacto con Leví —dice el SEÑOR Todopoderoso—.

5 Mi pacto con él era de vida y paz, y se las di; era también de temor, y él me temió, y mostró ante mí profunda reverencia.

6 En su boca había instrucción fidedigna; en sus labios no se encontraba perversidad. En paz y rectitud caminó conmigo, y apartó del pecado a muchos.

7 »Los labios de un sacerdote atesoran sabiduría, y de su boca los hombres buscan instrucción, porque es mensajero del SEÑOR Todopoderoso.

8 Pero ustedes se han desviado del camino y mediante su instrucción han hecho tropezar a muchos; ustedes han arruinado el pacto con Leví —dice el SEÑOR Todopoderoso—.

9 Por mi parte, yo he hecho que ustedes sean despreciables y viles ante todo el pueblo, porque no han guardado mis caminos sino que han mostrado parcialidad en cuestiones de la ley».

Malaquías 2:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

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.