Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

1:1 Heading. Malachi acknowledges his role as a prophetic intermediary and explicitly identifies his book as the word of the Lord. In keeping with this, nearly half of the remaining 54 verses of this concise and profound book are punctuated with "says the Lord of hosts," "says the Lord," etc. (On the phrase "Lord of hosts," see chart.) Similar to the headings found in Zech. 9:1 and 12:1 (cf. Hab. 1:1), Mal. 1:1 identifies the contents of this work as an oracle or, perhaps better, "a burden," with implications of urgent responsibility and even dread (Jer. 23:33-40; see note on Hab. 1:1). While Malachi directs his message to the postexilic remnant state of Judah, in Mal. 1:1 the prophet boldly confers on this people the ancient comprehensive designation of "Israel," thereby identifying them as accountable for all the covenant obligations and as heirs of all the covenant promises of God.