HEADING. Malachi 1:1 ‘The burden of the word of YHWH to Israel by Malachi.' The heading tells us what the contents of the book are. It contains ‘the burden of the word of YHWH to Israel by Malachi'. The word ‘burden' can mean something heavy to bear. It was never easy to be a prophet. They had to... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LOVE OF YHWH FOR JACOB, AND HIS HATRED FOR ESAU (MALACHI 1:2). YHWH now makes a positive affirmation of love for His people Israel (Jacob). This love had often been affirmed by previous prophets. ‘When Israel was a child, I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt' (Hosea 11:1). ‘YHWH did not l... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FAILURES OF THE PRIESTHOOD WHICH ARE REFLECTED IN THE PEOPLE (MALACHI 1:6 TO MALACHI 2:9). Having declared His love for Israel God now brings out why that love might not have produced what His people expected. And the first reason that is given is the failure of the priesthood in the fulfilment... [ Continue Reading ]