he priests reproved for neglecting their covenant. (1-9) The
people reproved for their evil practices. (10-17)
Verses 1-9: What is here said of the covenant of priesthood, is true of
the covenant of grace made with all believers, as spiritual
priests. It is a covenant of life and peace; it assures all
believers of all happiness, both in this world and in that to
come. It is an honour to God's servants to be employed as his
messengers. The priest's lips should not keep knowledge from his
people, but keep it for them. The people are all concerned to
know the will of the Lord. We must not only consult the written
word, but desire instruction and advice from God's messengers,
in the affairs of our souls. Ministers must exert themselves to
the utmost for the conversion of sinners; and even among those
called Israelites, there are many to be turned from iniquity.
Those ministers, and those only, are likely to turn men from
sin, who preach sound doctrine, and live holy lives according to
the Scripture. Many departed from this way; thus they misled the
people. Such as walk with God in peace and righteousness, and
turn others from sin, honour God; he will honour them, while
those who despise him shall be lightly esteemed.
Verses 10-17: Corrupt practices are the fruit of corrupt principles;
and he who is false to his God, will not be true to his fellow
mortals. In contempt of the marriage covenant, which God
instituted, the Jews put away the wives they had of their own
nation, probably to make room for strange wives. They made their
lives bitter to them; yet, in the sight of others, they pretend
to be tender of them. Consider she is thy wife; thy own; the
nearest relation thou hast in the world. The wife is to be
looked on, not as a servant, but as a companion to the husband.
There is an oath of God between them, which is not to be trifled
with. Man and wife should continue to their lives' end, in holy
love and peace. Did not God make one, one Eve for one Adam? Yet
God could have made another Eve. Wherefore did he make but one
woman for one man? It was that the children might be made a seed
to serve him. Husbands and wives must live in the fear of God,
that their seed may be a godly seed. The God of Israel saith
that he hateth putting away. Those who would be kept from sin,
must take heed to their spirits, for there all sin begins. Men
will find that their wrong conduct in their families springs
from selfishness, which disregards the welfare and happiness of
others, when opposed to their own passions and fancies. It is
wearisome to God to hear people justify themselves in wicked
practices. Those who think God can be a friend to sin, affront
him, and deceive themselves. The scoffers said, Where is the God
of judgement? but the day of the Lord will come.
he priests reproved for neglecting their covenant. (1-9) The
people reproved for their evil practices. (10-17)