Malachi 3:15

15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up;^[a] yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

Malachi 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

Malachi 3:15

And now we call the proud happy
Or "therefore now" {q}; since this is the case, that the worshippers of God are not regarded, and there is nothing got by serving him; they that are proud and haughty, that neither fear God nor regard men, are the happy persons; even presumptuous sinners, as the word ^F18 signifies, that stretch out their hands against God, and strengthen themselves against the Almighty; these enjoy all worldly happiness, while they that serve the Lord are mourning in sackcloth, and are in the utmost distress. The Targum explains it of the ungodly, and as it is explained in the following clause: yea, they that work wickedness are set up:
or "built up" ^F19; or "seeing, because", or "for they that work" ^F20; they are increased with children, by which their houses or families are built up; they are in a well settled and established condition; they abound in riches and honours; they are set in high places, and are in great esteem among men, even such who make it their constant business to commit sin: yea, [they that] tempt God;
or "yea, they tempt God" ^F21; by their wicked words and actions, and try whether he will cause his judgments to fall upon them, which he has threatened to such sinners; see ( Isaiah 5:18 Isaiah 5:19 ) : are even delivered;
or, "and are delivered" ^F23; from the punishment threatened; they escape it, and go on with impunity; from which observations these persons reasoned that there was no God of judgment, or that judged in the earth; that there was no providence concerned about human affairs; and that there was nothing in religion; and these were the hard and stout words which they spoke against the Lord.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (htew) "ergo nunc", V. L.; "igitur", Cocceius; "adeoque", Burkius.
F18 (Mydz) "arrogantes", V. L.; "feroces", Cocceius.
F19 (wnbn) "aedificati sunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Burkius; "aedificantur", Vatablus, Tigurine version, Calvin, Junius & Tremellius.
F20 (Mg) "siquidem", V. L.; "nam", Piscator, Noldius.
F21 (wnxb Mg) "etiam probaverunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Burkius.
F23 (wjlmyw) "et evaserunt", Pagninus, Montanus; "et effugerunt", Cocceius.

Malachi 3:15 In-Context

13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?

14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Footnotes

• [a]. are set up: Heb. are built