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Malachi 2:14-16

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

14. Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16. For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

Malachi 2:14-16 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Malachi 2:14

Theological / Devotional

Wherefore? This question is an evidence of the self-justifying skepticism of the people (see on ch. 1:2), which refuses to admit guilt. See p. 1122.

Wife of thy youth. Perhaps an indication that many of these wicked priests had put away their wives and taken other wives, possibly heathen women (see Ezra 9:1,2; Neh. 13:23-28). It is possible also that spiritual adultery is here alluded to, as in v. 11.

Dealt treacherously. That is, proved faithless. The LXX reads “forsaken.”

By SdaBc