Malachi 2:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.

NIV: If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name," says the Lord Almighty, "I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

NASB: If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,' says the Lord of armies, 'then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart.

CSB: If you don’t listen, and if you don’t take it to heart to honor my name," says the Lord of Armies, "I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. In fact, I have already begun to curse them because you are not taking it to heart.

NLT: Listen to me and make up your minds to honor my name,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, 'or I will bring a terrible curse against you. I will curse even the blessings you receive. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you have not taken my warning to heart.

KJV: If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

NKJV: If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name,” Says the Lord of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take it to heart.

The priests of Israel have been dishonoring God by offering impure sacrifices (Malachi 1:8) and by worshipping with bitter and lazy attitudes (Malachi 1:13). Just as these men should have known the proper forms of sacrifice (Leviticus 22:17–30), they also should have known the consequences of disobedience. The Law spelled out the suffering that would result when the people disobeyed (Deuteronomy 28:15–68). Here, God reiterates these threats to bring curses on those who dishonor Him.

The fact that Israel has been disobeying God means that these consequences have already been in effect. God's people should have recognized their own sin and seen their struggles as the results of their own choices. Sadly, instead, they blame God for their hardships and question His love for them (Malachi 1:2)!

The "blessings" being mentioned here probably include two aspects. The first is the spiritual ability of the priests to intercede for the people. While the Bible says that the prayers of righteous people are powerful (James 5:16), it stands to reason that the prayers of the unrighteous are ineffective (Jeremiah 14:10–12). In this case, God is actually threatening to turn the priests' attempts at blessing into curses. The other meaning of the "blessings" at risk is likely the income given to the spiritual leaders.

Malachi 1:6—2:9 is directed specifically at the priests of Israel. Despite having knowledge of the Old Testament Law, they are offering improper sacrifices to God. Instead of following the requirements for pure offerings, they are sacrificing animals so defective that a mere politician would not accept them. This shows their apathy and disrespect towards God. In response, God warns that He will be praised properly, even if it's by the Gentiles, even if it's in spite of His own chosen people. This includes a threat to humiliate the priesthood, if they don't lead the people as they have been instructed.

God will humiliate the priests who are insulting Him with improper sacrifices. While the priests are being unfaithful to God, the people of Israel are also being unfaithful to each other. In particular, they are marrying pagans, and committing divorce, which God absolutely despises. God's covenant with Israel included both blessings for obedience, and consequences for disobedience. And yet, as Israel disobeys, they blame God for their hardships. God's people are defying Him, then blaming Him for the end results!

Malachi's structure is intricate, but can be divided into three primary messages. The first message is to Israel's priests, and runs from Malachi 1:2 through Malachi 2:9. Chapter 2 begins with a warning, to the priests, that God will humiliate them for their arrogant, apathetic attitudes. The topic then transitions to Malachi's second message, directed to Israel as a whole, accusing them of being unfaithful to each other. This rebuke of infidelity continues through the beginning of chapter 3, before calling Israel to repentance in the final message.

Malachi is the last message of prophecy given to Israel prior to 400 years of silence. Israel has rebuilt the temple, following the invasions of Babylon, but they are still under foreign oppression. Israel's spiritual condition, however, is dire. Hosea depicted Israel as prone to failure, but repentant. Later, Ezekiel exposed Israel's blatant disobedience. By the time of Malachi, Israel has passed into numbness and apathy. Unlike other Old Testament prophets, Malachi takes the form of a dialogue, where Israel responds to accusations as if unaware that they've occurred. The next prophetic voice from God would not come until the ministry of John the Baptist.