This week we are reading Malachi’s second disputation which is unfortunately not marked off by chapter divisions. Normally, I prefer to keep it clean and do the reading challenge by order of chapters, but with Malachi it will be messier. It makes more sense to study the book one disputation at a time rather than chapter. The second disputation is the longest stretching from Malachi 1:6-2:9, so buckle up for this episode.
Malachi’s first disputation from last week reminded the people of their divine election going back to the days of Jacob and Esau. The point was that the misfortunes faced by the postexilic community were not because of God’s disengagement. Their lack of zeal was to blame. The people were not quick to repent like in Zechariah’s day (Zech. 1:6) or comply like in the days of Haggai (Hag. 1:14). A spiritual malaise had settled over the whole community, but this was particularly the case with the priesthood.
Malachi’s disputation against the priesthood is delivered via question and response, the prophet’s preferred teaching tool. God sets up his indictment of the priests by first establishing agreement with the people about the respect and honor that a son owes his father or a servant his master. Knowing everyone would agree with the terms of common earthly relationships, he asks, “A son honors his father and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is the honor due me? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me?” (1:6). The analogy highlights that if God is their heavenly father and master, how much more respect does he deserve than an earthly father or master?
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