Malachi 1

This chapter opens Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. It is set in the period after the return from exile, when sacrifices were once again being offered at the temple. Coming after the preceding book, Zechariah, this chapter begins the question-and-answer dialogue between God and His people that characterizes the book.

Outline

• Verse 1 The heading, which calls the book the "burden" the LORD gave to Israel by Malachi.
• Verses 2–5 To the question "Wherein hast thou loved us?" God answers that He loved Jacob and hated Esau. Though Edom may rebuild its ruined places, they will be thrown down, and Israel will see that "The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel"—that is, that He is great even beyond Israel's borders.
• Verses 6–10 God rebukes the priests who despise His name. They offer polluted bread and animals that are blind, lame, and sick, though they would not dare present such things to their governor. It would be better to shut the temple doors than to kindle fire on the altar in vain.
• Verses 11–14 God proclaims that from the rising of the sun to its going down, a pure offering will be presented among the nations. Those who regard the sacrifices as a weariness and deceitfully offer a blemished animal in fulfillment of a vow are cursed.

Key Verses

• Malachi 1:2–3 "I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau" — Paul quotes this in Romans 9 when explaining God's election.
• Malachi 1:8 "Offer it now unto thy governor" — a classic verse challenging the attitude behind worship and offerings.
• Malachi 1:11 "My name shall be great among the Gentiles" — a vision of worship extending beyond Israel.

People and Places

• Malachi: the prophet of this book.
• Jacob and Esau: the two sons of Isaac, who here represent the two nations of Israel and Edom.
• Priests: those responsible for the sacrifices at the temple, who are rebuked in this chapter.
• Governor: understood to be a provincial official whom Persia placed over Judah.

Points for Reflection

The Calvinist tradition tends to read "hated," together with Romans 9, as expressing God's sovereign election of individuals. The Arminian tradition tends to see it as election of the two nations to their historical roles and as a Hebrew comparative idiom meaning "loved less." For detailed discussion, see Predestination and Free Will.

Interpretations of verse 11 differ. The early church document known as the Didache is reported to have cited this verse in connection with the Lord's Day Eucharist, and the Catholic Church has read it as a prophecy of the sacrifice of the Mass. Protestants generally read it as referring to the spiritual worship offered by the nations as the gospel spreads.

In the Korean Church

Verses 6–14, which call for offering what is without blemish, are frequently cited in sermons on offerings, attitudes in worship, and vows.