Haftorah
Haftorah: Malachi 1 1:1-2:7
Context
- Malachi is the last book of Tanach and addresses spiritual decline after the return from exile.
- The prophet rebukes the people—especially the priests—for dishonoring God through corrupt worship and hypocrisy.
Main Themes
- God’s Love and Sovereignty (1:1–5)
- God affirms His love for Israel, contrasting it with His judgment on Edom (Esau’s descendants).
- Israel doubts God’s love, but history proves His favor toward Jacob.
- Corrupt Worship and Hypocrisy (1:6–14)
- Priests dishonor God by offering blemished sacrifices.
- God rejects empty rituals and calls for sincere reverence.
- A warning: God’s name will be honored among the nations, even if Israel fails.
- Warning to Priests (2:1–9)
- Priests are commanded to honor God or face curses.
- God recalls His covenant with Levi—marked by reverence and truth.
- Priests should guard knowledge and teach faithfully, but they have turned aside.
