Editing Book of Malachi (section)

==Aim==
The Book of Malachi was written to correct what the author saw as the lax religious and social behavior of the [[Israelite]]s — particularly the priests — in [[Second Temple period|post-exilic]] [[Jerusalem]]. Although the prophets urged the people of [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]] and [[Israel]] to see their exile as punishment for failing to uphold their [[Mosaic covenant|covenant with God]], it was not long after they had been returned to the [[Land of Israel|land]], the [[Second Temple]] built, and proper worship restored, the people's commitment to their God began to wane once again. It was in this context that the prophet, commonly referred to as Malachi, delivered his prophecy.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

In 1:2, Malachi portrays the people of Israel as questioning God's love for them. This introduction to the book illustrates the severity of the situation that Malachi addresses, as does dialectical style with which Malachi confronts his audience. Malachi accuses his audience of failing to respect God as God deserves. One way this disrespect manifests is through the substandard sacrifices that Malachi claims the priests offer. While God demands animals that are "without blemish" ([[Leviticus]] 1:3, NRSV), the priests, who were "to determine whether the animal was acceptable" (Mason 143),{{full citation needed|date=April 2025}} were offering blind, lame, and sick animals for sacrifice because they thought nobody would notice.

In 2:1, Malachi states that ''[[Yahweh|Yahweh Sabaoth]]'' is sending a curse on the priests who have not honoured him with appropriate animal sacrifices: "Now, watch how I am going to paralyze your arm and throw dung in your face—the dung from your very solemnities—and sweep you away with it. Then you shall learn that it is I who have given you this warning of my intention to abolish my covenant with Levi, says ''Yahweh Sabaoth''."

In 2:10–11, Malachi addresses the issue of [[divorce]]. On this topic, Malachi deals with divorce both as a social problem ("Why then are we faithless to one another ... ?") and as a religious problem ("Judah ... has married the daughter of a foreign god"). In contrast to the [[Book of Ezra]] Malachi urges each to remain steadfast to the wife of his youth.

Malachi also criticizes his audience for questioning God's justice. He reminds them that God is just and exhorts them to be faithful as they await that justice. Malachi states that the people have not been faithful and have not given God all that God deserves. Just as the priests have been offering unacceptable sacrifices, so the people have been neglecting to offer their full [[tithe]] to God.