Matthew Poole and continuators on Malachi 2:2

2 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 .

This if, to the Prophet was dubious, but to God who sent the Prophet, 'twas not doubtful, but 'twas for monition to the Priests and Jews, and implyed a condition of mercy if they would yet hear, but an inevitable curse if they did not hear.

If you do not consider what you hear, to do the good, to forbear the evil.

By a due, and holy manner of sacrificing and offering Incense: in neglect of which you have greatly sin'd, and dishonoured me, and polluted my Name and Altar.

It is a comprehensive threat, many miseries in one word; it is a blast on their good hoped for, and 'tis poyson in the good possessed, and when 'tis, as here, sent of God, 'twill surely do both, 'twill be a blast on hopes, 'twill be poison in what is possessed and should be enjoyed.

All, both Priests, and people, but especially on the Priests.

All the good, sweet, necessary supports of Life, and Comforts of your selves and yours.

You have so long polluted my Name, and would not reform▪ that I have already sent out the curse, and 'tis in part upon you, though you are not sensible of it, nor will feel it, and this is forerunner of greater curses yet coming, unless you repent.

The sin was great, in that you polluted my Name, but it becoms much greater when you add impenitence to it, and harden your selves, and will not lay it to heart, therefore the curse is gone out with Commission from God to seize you.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]ev. 26.14,