INSTRUCTION: God commanded sincere worship with genuine faith and humility. This included honoring him with pure offerings, being faithful to human covenants, especially marriage covenants, and renewing the tithe of all they acquired to signify their recognition of the LORD as their God and King.
JUDGMENT: If the priests would not change their behavior, God would curse them and remove them from service. Malachi also announced a coming day when the “God of justice” would come to judge the wicked and refine his people (Mt 3:12; 13:24–30).
HOPE: As other incentives to obedience, Malachi pointed to: (1) God’s demonstrations of love for Israel (1:2), (2) their spiritual and covenant unity with God and with one another (2:10), and (3) a coming day of salvation and blessing for those who fear him (3:1–6; 3:16–4:3).
