Malachi 3:15 - Exposition

We call the proud happy. This is still the speech of the murmurers. We, they say, do not reckon the humble and meek blessed; we consider that the only blessed ones are the arrogant heathen, or free thinkers, who meet with prosperity and happiness in this world. For the "proud," the LXX . has, ἀλλοτρίους , "strangers," which, doubtless, gives the meaning (comp. Isaiah 13:11 ). Are set up; literally, are built up— have wealth and families, and leave a name behind them ( Psalms 17:14 ; see in the original, Genesis 16:2 ; Genesis 30:3 ; and comp. Exodus 1:21 ; Jeremiah 12:16 , where the phrase, "being built," includes all temporal prosperity). They that tempt God are even delivered; they tempt God, and are delivered ( Malachi 3:10 ). They try and provoke God by their impiety, and yet escape punishment. Septuagint, ἀντέστησαν τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἐσώθησαν , "They resist God, and yet are safe."