MALACHI—NOTE ON Malachi 1:1 Heading. Malachi 1:1 declares his role as God’s messenger and identifies his book as the word of the LORD. Nearly half of the verses in Malachi 1:1 include “says the LORD of hosts,” “says the LORD,” or some similar phrase. This prophecy is an oracle (compare Zechariah 9:1), literally, “a burden.” Malachi directs his message to the post­exilic community of Judah. By referring to them as “Israel,” he identifies them as recipients of all God’s covenant promises as well as the covenant obligations.

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