Tyndale Open Study NotesMalachi 2

Malachi’s second message confirms the Lord as God and father of Israel. God alone deserves true worship.

The first part (Malachi 1:6–14) shows how the Israelites dishonored God despite his fatherly care and great power.

The second part (Malachi 2:1–9) warns the priests of Judah against sacrificing sick and defective animals and criticizes them for not teaching God’s instructions (2:6–8).

• take it to hear: This was a matter of the will (a deliberate choice), not of feelings or emotions.

• curse: Malachi referred to the complete destruction promised for those who broke God’s covenant (see Deuteronomy 28:20).

My covenant with Levi: If the Levites dedicated themselves to serving God and gave up their own glory, God would grant them life and peace (Malachi 2:5; compare Numbers 8:5–26; 25:12–13). Their special responsibility was to teach God's instructions (Malachi 2:7).

• The priests had been trusted with God’s sacred teaching, as given in the law of Moses. As teachers, they were responsible for guarding God’s covenant (his binding promises) with Israel (Deuteronomy 33:9–10).

• messenger (Hebrew mal’ak): This word may intentionally echo the name Malachi (Hebrew mal’aki, meaning “my messenger”). In the Old Testament, this title usually describes a prophet. Here, Malachi applies it to priests, because they were responsible for explaining and applying God’s word to the people.

shown partiality (literally lifted up the face): The expression also appears in Malachi 1:8 ("pleased with you"). The priests should have applied the law with kindness and fairness, but they did not. It was unreasonable for the priests to think that God would favor them when they had shown partiality in performing their duties.

Malachi’s third message shows that the failure to keep the covenant spread from the priests to all the people. They did not keep their promises to the Lord or to their fellow citizens when they married foreign women. They also broke their promises to their wives when they divorced them. The prophet now addresses the people as fellow members of the community. This marks a clear change in tone. He moves from sharp accusation to an inclusive appeal (Malachi 2:8–9; 10).

• Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? (or by one God): These divine titles highlight the Lord’s uniqueness as Creator and his role as Israel’s Father. One God reflects the Shema, Israel’s statement of belief in one God (Deuteronomy 6:4–5).

• break faith: The main idea of this third message is that divorce is a betrayal.

• covenant of our fathers?: The prophet refers to the covenant made at Mount Sinai, reminding the people that the law of Moses required responsibility to both God and each other.

Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Men were divorcing their wives to marry non-Israelite women for economic gain. These marriages allowed Jewish men to join existing merchant groups and trade networks when they returned from Babylonia. Malachi compares this unfaithfulness to idol worship.

In Israelite history, marrying foreign women often led to worshiping foreign gods. Loyalty was essential in Israel's agreements, both with God and in marriage. Divorce disrespects the unity of the marriage agreement (Malachi 2:15; see Genesis 2:24).

cut off: This phrase means to wipe out or destroy those who do evil. It does not refer to social exclusion or removal from religious worship. Instead, it describes complete judgment.

• In the Greek Old Testament, wife is called koinōnos, meaning "joint partner." The Hebrew word for a seam or joint in construction (for example, Exodus 26:6–11) implies a lasting bond.

• covenant: Marriage is a serious promise, with God as a witness (see Proverbs 2:17).

• hate: God dislikes a broken promise (see Malachi 1:3; Hosea 9:15). This is fitting because God's relationship with people is based on faithfulness, and he expected the same from Israel (Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 7:9).

• To divorce (literally send away) means to force a marriage partner to leave. Malachi wanted to address the misuse of divorce laws (see Deuteronomy 24:1–4).

• covers his garment with violence: Cruelty involves acts of violence or wrongdoing. Divorce is a harsh and cruel social wrong. Divorcing one's wife is a betrayal of her and the marriage promise. It breaks hearts, destroys relationships, harms family integrity, damages children's well-being, and endangers the future.

Malachi's fourth message addresses the difference between God's justice and human justice (Malachi 2:17). This section sounds like a courtroom charge against Judah. It presents God’s formal accusation. Malachi condemns religious behavior that follows rules but lacks sincere devotion (see Malachi 3:14). This kind of worship goes against God’s justice. The prophet calls the people to honesty and to real concern for others in their community.

Malachi's audience had displeased and frustrated God by doubting his fairness.