Malachi 2:10-16
10 Do we not all have one Father? Is it not one God who has created us? Why do we deal treacherously, each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?
11 Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord which He loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.
12 As for the man who does this, may the Lord eliminate from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and answers, or who presents an offering to the Lord of armies.
13 And this is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and sighing, because He no longer gives attention to the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.
14 Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your marriage companion and your wife by covenant.
15 But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And why the one? He was seeking a godly offspring. Be careful then about your spirit, and see that none of you deals treacherously against the wife of your youth.
16 “For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with violence,” says the Lord of armies. “So be careful about your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”
The Unfaithful People (1)
Treachery against each other
In the previous passages, the sins of the priests were being rebuked. In today’s passage, the unfaithful attitude of the people is condemned. “Do we not all have one Father? Is it not one God who has created us? Why do we deal treacherously, each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?” (v 10). (1) Israel has “one Father” (that is, the one God) and “one Creator.” Since all Israelites were created by the same God, they were to show one another faithfulness based on brotherly love. (2) Nevertheless, they acted treacherously and profaned the covenant of their fathers. The “covenant of our fathers” refers to the Abrahamic Covenant.
Marriage with unbelievers
“Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord which He loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. As for the man who does this, may the Lord eliminate from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and answers, or who presents an offering to the Lord of armies” (v 11-12). (1) “Treachery” refers to the violation of promises and covenants in social life, such as business ethics and marriage commitments. (2) The greatest problem among the people was marriage with unbelievers. We know from the books of Ezra and Nehemiah that this had become a major issue in Malachi’s day (ref. Ezra 9:1-6; Neh. 13:21-27). (3) The issue was not marriage with people of another ethnicity, but marriage with unbelievers. Even Gentile women were permitted to marry Jewish men if they believed in the God of Israel. Rahab and Ruth are examples of this. However, the Jews in Malachi’s day were marrying “the daughter of a foreign god.” These were Gentile women who practiced idolatry. Such intermarriage with unbelievers was forbidden by the Law (ref. Ex. 34:15-16; Deut. 7:3). (4) God’s judgment comes upon those who enter into such marriages. The phrase “may the Lord eliminate from the tents of Jacob” means that they are to be excluded from the community of Israel. Intermarriage with unbelievers would result in expulsion from the covenant community of Israel. It is dangerous to bring idolatry into one’s home. Idolatry can enter our lives in many ways besides marriage. Let us take inventory of our spiritual condition today. “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).
Today's prayer
O God of Israel, by the Holy Spirit, please examine my heart and reveal whether there is any trace of idolatry within me. May I continue to walk in faithfulness today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.