Even though the people are not certain of God’s love (1:2), he expects a minimal response of honor and respect. Malachi likens the situation to that of a son’s respect for his father or a servant’s respect for his master. The people of God, however, are so self-centered that they cannot express themselves in love and devotion toward Yahweh. He affirms that he is Father and master. God is not only the Father of the faithful (1:6) but also the king whose kingdom is not limited to Jerusalem or the land of Judea. His name is feared among the nations. He is the great king.

These three grounds for honoring Yahweh (as Father, master, and king) provide the structure of the second disputation. Malachi’s argument focuses on the priests’ utter disregard for the God of Israel. They of all people sho…