COMMENTARY ON MALACHI
LESSON NUMBER 4
Mal 1:6 “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honor? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?” (Malachi 1:6)
WHERE IS GOD’S HONOR?
INTRODUCTION
God has affirmed the consistency of His love toward Israel. Throughout their history, He has deferred to Jacob and his offspring, while rejecting Esau and his offspring. The lovingkindness of God was, in fact, so pronounced toward these people, that there was no other way to account for their longevity. They had survived 400 years of affliction in Egypt (Gen 15:13), forty years of wandering in the desert (Deut 2:7), eight years of domination by the king of Mesopotamia (Judges 3:8), twenty years of domination by the king of Canaan (Judges 4:2-3), seven years of domination by the Midianites (Judges 6:1), eighteen years of domination by the Philistines and the Ammonites (Judges 10:7-8), forty years of domination by the Philistines (Judges 13:1), and seventy years of Babylonian captivity (Jer 29:10; Dan 9:2). That accounts for 603 years – 40% of the time from the giving of the Law until John the Baptist! Additionally, there were unspecified durations of time when the Lord “sold them into the hands of their enemies” (Judges 2:14-15; 4:2). Patiently, He tolerated their manners in the wilderness (Acts 13:18), while they tempted Him no less than “ten times” (Num14:22). This was certainly not the manner in which God treated the offspring of Esau! And why is this so? It is because God loved Jacob and hated Esau. Having established the reality and consistency of His love toward Israel by comparing it with His action toward Edom, the Lord now begins reasoning with the people. This is necessary because sin robs people of the powers of sound thought and accurate analysis. This is quite unlike the wisdom of the world. In the world, a man can be a moral despot, yet acquire a high level of worldly wisdom. This, however, is not the manner of the Kingdom of God. A person cannot walk at a distance from God, yet maintain a proper understanding of His nature, working, and requirements.
THE GREATER RECEIVES THE HONOR
Malachi 1:6a “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master . . .”
Having established His love for Israel by way of contrast, the Lord now confirms the unreasonableness of the lack of proper response from the people whom He loved. He will first appeal to the lowest order of propriety and correctness – natural law. This is the sort of law that is intuitive, or innate. It can be contradicted, to be sure, but one must exert themselves to do so, ignoring their conscience, and aggressively being wrapped up in themselves. Of course, sin causes a person and a nation to do this, pushing past all flashing signals of the conscience. Notwithstanding, even though sin has a compelling force behind it, so that the individual becomes enslaved to it, still it is unreasonable and inexcusable. There is no acceptable excuse for sin that will move the Lord to acquit or clear the guilty.
A SON HONORS HIS FATHER. Other versions read, “A son gives honor to his father,” BBE and “A son naturally honors his.” NET This is an action that is driven by both natural and Divine law. By nature, a son knows that honor is due to his father, for the son is inferior to him – both in age and in station. This is something that is written upon the human conscience, classed with those things that are “written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness” (Rom 2:15). If a son does not honor his father, he is “without natural affection” (Rom 1:31), and has violated the most elementary of all laws.
There is also a Divinely written law on this matter. The fifth commandment is, “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Ex 20:12). Again God commanded, “Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father” (Lev 19:3). The fifth commandment is stated once again in Moses closing address to the people: “Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee” (Deut 5:16).
In spite of this clear commandment, and the intuitive awareness of this requirement, Solomon declared, “There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother” (Prov 30:11). Such a generation has been allowed to go in a wayward direction. This is not an innocent departure, for it has made the Scripture appear to be less relevant than it really is. To such a generation, our text has little meaning. Parents who have little ones who do not respect them, or give them honor, are to see to it that the condition is corrected. Should they choose to ignore this responsibility, they will handicap their children in spiritual matters as well.
A SERVANT HONORS HIS MASTER. Other versions read, “a servant has fear of his master,” BBE “a servant honors his master,” GWN “a slave respects his master,” NET “a servant fears his master,” NAB and “stands in awe of his master.” NJB This is also an apparent form of reasoning. It is based more upon observation and assessment than natural affection. Circumstance testifies to the superiority of the master, who directs the servant in what he is to do. The servant can, indeed, rebel – but it is not proper to do so. Here again, acting in contrariety to this rule not only violates even natural reasoning, it renders one even more obtuse in matters pertaining to life and godliness. A master, by position, is above the servant, and is thus worthy of honor.
Those in Christ are told to follow this rule as well. “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed” (1 Tim 6:1). Servants are to be “obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well,” not being argumentative (Tit 2:9). They are to be “subject” to their own masters “with fear” (1 Pet 2:18). This is not something that identifies servants as excelling. Rather, in so doing, they have simply carried out their obvious duty.
THE PRINCIPLE TO BE SEEN. Our text does not say a son ought to honor his father, or that a servant ought to fear his master. It rather assumes that this is being done. And why is this so? Because both nature and Divine law establish this is the proper manner. Upon the basis of that, any contrary action is lawless and unacceptable. In other words, the purpose for which God has made us, and the law that He has established, sets the standard. That is the norm, and everything is to be judged by that. There can be no dignity or propriety in something that violates the natural law put into men, or the written requirements of the Lord. Men may find convenient ways to explain why they do not fulfill such requirements, but all of their explanations are worthless, and eternally dangerous as well.
In our time a way of life is being promoted that overstates the rights of the individual. It has become offensive to many to even speak about a son honoring his father, or a servant fearing his master. There are cases of children suing their parents, and even doing violence to them. The result of this is more than culturing a decadent society. Such views spill over into one’s association with the Living God, who is the ultimate authority. Men fail to subject themselves to the Lord because they really do not believe they have to. They have suppressed any inclination to honor God with their persons, lives, and substance, and their conscience has therefore become seared. How will the Lord reason with such people, when the fabric of the thinking is rotted, and unable to hold sound reasoning? Oh, the Lord has alternative ways of dealing with the hardhearted – but they certainly are not to be preferred!
IF GOD IS OUR FATHER AND MASTER . . . WHAT THEN?
1:6b “ . . . if then I be a Father, where is Mine honor? and if I be a Master, where is My fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you . . .”
This is now the second time the Lord refers to the response of the people. The first time, He read their hearts: “Wherein hast Thou loved us?” or “How have you loved us” (1:2). This time, however, the Lord does not draw a question from them, but demands an answer. He has already shown with weighty words that His love for them was consistent and beyond all question. This He has done by way of comparison with the offspring of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. Having presented what He has done, now the Lord refers to WHO He is.
IF I THEN BE A FATHER. Other versions read, “the Father,” NKJV “your Father,” NLT “if I am indeed Father,” NJB and “I am your Father.” LIVING This expression can be viewed in a number of ways. First, God is truly “a Father” in His nature. Second, He is “the Father,” for all men have come from Him. Thirdly, He is particularly the Father of Israel, having begotten and nurtured them. He did this because that is what He is by nature – “a Father.” He did it because He is the Author of the human race – “the Father.” But even more specifically, He was Israel’s Father, for they owed their origin and ongoing existence to Him. The particular point is that God did not depart from who He is in order to be their “Father.” Their relationship to Him was unique among the nations, but it was in strict keeping with the nature and working of the Lord Himself, for God never departs from who He is when speaking or working. This may seem very apparent, but men without understanding struggle with this. When they question why God did this or that, they are revealing they are not acquainted with His ways. When they affirm God conducts Himself the same toward everyone, they show they are not familiar with His character. God always acts in strict accord with who He is.
Throughout history, God affirmed that He was a Father to Israel, and they were His son. When Moses went down to Egypt to lead the people out of bondage, God commissioned him to say to Pharaoh, “Israel is My son, even My firstborn . . . Let My son go, that he may serve Me” (Ex 4:22-23). Before He died, Moses chided Israel with the words, “Is not He thy Father that hath bought thee?” (Deut 32:6). David prayed, “Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our Father, for ever and ever” (1 Chr 29:10). Speaking through Isaiah God said of Israel, “I have nourished and brought up children” (Isa 1:2). Isaiah prayed, “Doubtless Thou art our Father” (Isa 63:15). Isaiah confessed for all of Israel, “But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father” (Isa 64:8). Through Jeremiah the Lord said, “I am a Father to Israel” (Jer 31:9). Speaking for Israel, and even all of humanity, Malachi said, “Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us?” (Mal 2:10). Through Hosea God said, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1).
Thus God, from the beginning of this nation, speaking through the prophets, kept the people aware of His Fatherhood, and of how His care for them was consistently traced to this reality.
WHERE IS MY HONOR? Other versions read, “My reverence,” NKJV “My respect,” NASB “the respect due Me,” NIV “the honor due Me,” NRSV and “yet You don’t honor Me.” LIVING The word translated “honor” is a very interesting one. Normally, it is translated “glory,” coming from the Hebrew word “kah-bowd.” As used here, “honor” has to do with an obvious display – something that can be seen. This is the word Joseph used when he told his brothers, “And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt” (Gen 45:13). David referred to the house of God, and particularly the Holy of Holies as “the place where Thine honor dwelleth,” for that is where God made Himself known (Psa 26:8). Songs that focused on the Lord Himself were ones that expressed “the honor of His name” (Psa 66:2). Honor is given to the Lord when He Himself outshines even ordained ritual – when what is done so focuses upon the Lord that those hearing and beholding are left thinking about Him rather than what they saw. The point here is that, at the timne of our text, the Lord Himself was not evident in their religion and all of its varied routines. That meant the people were not viewing God as their Father.
IF I BE A MASTER. The word “Master” means Lord, Governor, King, or Sovereign. This is not a title, or the way God is to be viewed, but is rather who He actually is – whether it is seen or not. The Lord is the One in whose hands our “times” reside (Psa 31:15). He is “able to save and to destroy” (James 4:12). Because He is truly “Master,” He is referred to as “God the Judge of all” (Heb 12:23).
WHERE IS MY FEAR? Speaking of men fearing God, Jesus said, “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him” (Luke 12:5). Even now, a voice calls out to the inhabitants of the earth, “Fear God, and give glory to Him” (Rev 14:7). God still looks for His fear – the fear that will keep the soul from sinning, and cause it to seek every means through which men can please Him.
SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS UNTO YOU. God is surrounded by an innumerable host who give glory to Him because they perceive who He is. He is looking upon the earth for those who also are able to see Him as He has revealed Himself, and will appropriately fear Him.
DESPISING THE NAME OF THE LORD
1:6c “ . . . O priests, that despise My name . And ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy name?”
Note with care what the Lord here declares, for He is unveiling how a failure to honor and fear God is perceived in heaven. No person is wise who chooses to see it in any other way.
O PRIESTS. The words “Where is Mine honor” and “Where is My fear” are addressed to the priests, who stood for the people, taught them, and led them. Thus the verse reads, “Says the Lord of hosts To you priests. . . ” NKJV
THAT DESPISE MY NAME. Other versions read, “who show contempt for My name,” NIV “who give no value to My name,” BBE “who make light of My name,” NET and “who scorn My name.” TNK The word “despise” means: “to despise, hold in contempt, disdain; regard with contempt; to be despicable; to be vile, worthless; to cause to despise.” STRONG’S The idea is that not only did the priests themselves despise and hold in contempt the name of the Lord, but, through their erroneous teaching and manners, led others to do the same.
This word is used to described how Esau viewed his birthright: “thus Esau despised his birthright” (Gen 25:34). Under the Law, those who broke the commandment of the Lord were said to have “despised the Word of the Lord” (Num 15:31). When David sinned with Bathsheba, and had her husband Uriah killed with the sword, Nathan gave him this word from the Lord: “Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord? . . . thou hast despised Me” (2 Sam 12:9-10). The Psalmist described the coming Christ as suffering because He was “despised of the people” (Psa 22:5). Isaiah said He was “despised and rejected of men” (Isa 53:3).
The English word “despise” means “to regard as unworthy of one’s notice or consideration.” WEBSTER The expression of this disdain ranges from neglect and forgetfulness, to open contempt and reviling. Yet, it is the same character that drives all of the expressions, and none of them are acceptable or less offensive to the Living God.
In saying the priests had “despised” His “name,” the Lord means they had no genuine regard for His Person. They placed their own interests above those of the Lord, and thought nothing of relegating any thought of Him to the background of their minds. They did not associate Him with being over them, and did not consider obedience to His Word an absolute essentiality, and therefore did not give it due regard. There was a certain casualness and disinterest in all of their religious activities that betrayed how they really felt about the Lord. God saw this, even though the rank and file of both priests and people did not.
One facet of the technical meaning of the word “despise” is that it also causes others to despise. In other words, it bears bitter fruit in others. As in the days when Jesus walked among men, the religion of the people had been shaped and driven by their leaders. That is why the condition Malachi addresses is such a serious one. It did not simply end with the priests, but was like a growing and contaminating flood that covered all of the people. Jesus said of such leaders, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in” (Matt 23:13). “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered” (Luke 11:52). If the mouths of such men are not “stopped” (Tit 1:11), eventually the people and the false prophets join in affinity with one another. Jeremiah spoke of this effect: “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so” (Jer 5:31). Jesus said of the process, “And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt 15:14). Jesus said of false prophets, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Mat 24:11).
The apostles spoke of the contaminating influence of false and fleshly teachers – men who themselves despise the Lord, and thus do not have the slightest twinge of conscience when they wrest His words. Here are some descriptions of the impact of teachers who despise the name of the Lord. “. . . speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29). “And many shall follow their pernicious ways” (2 Pet 2:1-2).
WHEREIN HAVE WE DESPISED THY NAME? Other versions read, “In what way have we despised Your name?” NKJV “How have we . . . ” NASB “How have we shown contempt,” NIV “How have we not given value,” BBE “How are we despising,” CJB “How have we made light of,” NET “When did we ever despise,” LIVING and “How and in what way have we despised Your name?” AMPLIFIED As has been noted before, sin has a dulling effect upon those caught in its vortex. It sears the conscience, so that it ceases to send warning signals to the sinner (1 Tim 4:2). It causes the person to go into a dreadful state where he is “past feeling,” and fire no longer burns (Eph 4:19). It puts out the “candle of the Lord,” which is the “spirit of man,” so they cannot see where they are headed (Prov 20:27). The priests of this text really had no idea what they had been doing. They had lingered so long in the vestibule of indifference that death had settled upon their souls. They were daily displeasing the Lord, and did not know it. They were bringing reproach on the Lord. and condemnation to themselves, and were unaware of it.