Albert Barnes Commentary Malachi 1:9

"And now, I pray you, entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he accept any of your persons? saith Jehovah of hosts." — Malachi 1:9 (ASV)

And now entreat, I pray you, God that He will be gracious to you - This is not a call to repentance, for he assumes that God would not accept them. It is rather irony: “Go now, seek the favor of God, as you would not that of your governor.” “From your hand,” not from your fathers, not from aliens, “has this been: will He accept persons from you?” The unusual construction seems to imply a different meaning; as if he would say that it was inconsistent with the justice of God for Him to be an “accepter of persons,” (which He declares He is not) yet He would be such if He were to accept them while they act in this way.