MALACHI 2:17 TO MALACHI 3:6. THE COMING OF JUDGMENT. This passage is addressed to those of the prophet's contemporaries who were so perplexed by the state of things around them that they had become sceptical of God's justice. The times were out of joint, prosperity was the lot of the wicked instead... [ Continue Reading ]
TITHES AND THE DIVINE BLESSING. The people cannot hope to win God's favour so long as they Withhold God's dues. When the tithes (Deuteronomy 12:17 f; Deuteronomy 14:22 *, Numbers 18:21 *, Leviticus 27:30 *; see p. 99 Malachi presupposes the stricter legislation of P as represented in the two latter... [ Continue Reading ]
MALACHI 3:13 TO MALACHI 4:3. THE FINAL TRIUMPH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. The prophet here returns to the complaint of those who thought that religion did not pay (with Malachi 3:14; cf. Malachi 2:17). They had kept God's charge, faithfully observing their religious duties, and even wearing the sackcloth and... [ Continue Reading ]