A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Not every prophecy is called a burden; this name belongs to words bearing God's judgment. The ungodly used it as a slur, hoping to excuse themselves from listening. Malachi's doctrine is rightly called a burden because the people had fallen into sins that could not be endured, and they stood summoned before God's tribunal.
AI summary
Commenting on Malachi 1:1-14
God has a reckoning to settle with unfaithful ministers before all others. A son honors his father by nature, a servant honors his master by compact; yet these priests, who are both God's children and servants, neither fear nor honor Him. What they do to the least of God's holy things, they do to Him.
AI summary
Commenting on Malachi 1:6-14
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master,.... Or, "will honour", or "should honour"; it is their duty to do so, both according to the laws of God and man; and so the Targum, "lo concerning a son it is said (or commanded) that be should honour his father; and of a servant, that he should fear (or show reverence) before his master;''...