Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
In doing so (Malachi 2:6) he did his duty as a priest, "for," etc.
knowledge--of the law, its doctrines, and positive and negative precepts (Leviticus 10:10-11; Deuteronomy 24:8; Jeremiah 18:18; Haggai 2:11).
the law--that is, its true sense.
messenger of . . . Lord--the interpreter of His will; compare as to the prophets, Haggai 1:13. So ministers are called "ambassadors of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20); and the bishops of the seven churches in Revelation, "angels" or messengers (Revelation 2:1, Revelation 2:8, Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:18; Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:7, Revelation 3:14; compare Galatians 4:14).
He describes the promises, and also the conditions of the covenant; Levi's observance of the conditions and reward (compare Numbers 25:11-13, Phinehas' zeal); and on the other hand the violation of the conditions, and consequent punishment of the present priests. "Life" here includes the perpetuity implied in Numbers 25:13, "everlasting priesthood." "Peace" is specified both here and there. MAURER thus explains it; the Hebrew is, literally, "My covenant was with him, life and peace (to be given him on My part), and I gave them to him: (and on his part) fear (that is, reverence), and he did fear Me," etc. The former portion of the verse expresses the promise, and Jehovah's fulfilment of it; the latter, the condition, and Levi's steadfastness to it (Deuteronomy 33:8-9). The Jewish priests self-deceivingly claimed the privileges of the covenant, while neglecting the conditions of it, as if God were bound by it to bless them, while they were free from all the obligation which it imposed to serve Him. The covenant is said to be not merely "of life and peace," but "life and peace"; for the keeping of God's law is its own reward (Psalms 19:11).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Ecclesiastes 5:6
Song of Solomon 3:3
Isaiah 43:27
Jeremiah 2:8
Jeremiah 6:15
Jeremiah 11:2
Jeremiah 18:18
Ezekiel 22:26
Micah 3:11
Haggai 1:13
Haggai 2:11
Zechariah 3:7
Malachi 3:1
Galatians 4:14
Hebrews 7:11
Revelation 1:20
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