Matthew Poole and continuators on Malachi 2:10

10 Have we not all one Father ? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

We Jews.

Either Abraham, or Iacob, (not Adam here intended) with whom God made the Covenant by which the posterity was made a peculiar people separated from other Nations, and on very weighty reasons forbid to join, and intermix with strange Nations,

The Prophet speaks of that great and gracious work of God, creating them to be a chosen people, a nation formed to shew forth his praise, Deut. 32.6, 18. Isa. 43.1, 7. and so we Christians are created in Christ Jesus, Eph. 2.10. and are in him new creatures, 2 Cor. 5.17.

The Prophet was not guilty of the fault, yet speaks as one of the community, partly to take off the envy of the Jews, and to cut off all occasion of quarrelling against his word, and partly to insinuate the sense he had of this thing, and the affection he had for them, though he reproved them.

Despise, so some, break our Faith in the Marriage Contract engaged, so carry it disloyally, against the duty we owe to Gods Law, which equally binds us, as our Wives to mutual Love, Honour and Faithfulness, and why then do we take Heathen Wives (tis bad if a Jew unmarried do it) but here now the case is worse) Jewish Wives being dislik't, rejected, and so greatly despised? Why do we this against the bond of Consanguinity? And do we sons of Abraham abuse thus the Daughters of Abraham? Why do we so little regard the bond of Religion, we are People, Sons and Daughters of one God who hath called us, separated us from the Heathen to keep Religion pure, and unmixed, why then do we transgress thus?

The fault was very common, among the People and Priests too, and since their return out of Babylon.

This wrong was done immediately against the Wife, but the Father, Brothers or Kinsmen of the wronged Wife are mediately, and by consequence wronged, the whole Family of the Wife thus used is perfidiously abused, but Brothers as principal of the Family are named.

Violating the Covenant of God, the Law, which approves no Polygamy, and forbids marrying of Idolaters.

Marginal references: Eph 4.6.