The fourth disputation, Malachi 2:10–12, opens abruptly. Who is speaking? Who is the “Father”? It seems that the people contest something the prophet has said, or it may be that the prophet is quoting a proverb. Since Malachi, by the disputation method, portrays the spirit of the people as filled with cynicism and sarcasm, it is best to take verse 10 as an argument by the people. It is filled with self-righteousness and self-justification but is hollow from Malachi’s perspective. The people’s argument may be restated as, “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why should we deal treacherously with one another? Why should we profane the covenant of the fathers?” Yahweh, who sees the heart, charges that they have dealt treacherously with each other and that they have broken…