The book of Malachi is an oracle, a word, from Yahweh. “Oracle” (or “burden”) is a technical, prophetic term for a word of judgment on both the nations and Israel/Judah. The prophet functions as an ambassador whose duty is to proclaim the word, no matter how burdensome the message or how unresponsive the people. The prophet is appointed by God to discharge his office, and in that appointment there is a sense of urgency (cf. Jer. 20:9). He must proclaim the oracle, because the oracle is the word of Yahweh.

In the first disputation, Yahweh assures his people of his love. The structure is symmetric. The cynicism of the people (1:2) is symmetric with the expression of hope in God (1:5). The affirmation of God’s “love” (1:2–3) is symmetric with an affirmation of his “greatness” (1:5). God’s p…