Section 2:17–3:5
The LORD revealed that he would come to judge and purify his people
2:17 is a transitional verse. In 2:10–16 Malachi and the LORD listed ways that the priests and people had been unfaithful. In 2:17, the focus becomes the LORD’s response to this unfaithfulness. So it seems best to consider 2:17 as the beginning of a new section, rather than as the end of the preceding section.
Notice also that this verse contains Malachi’s typical structure for beginning a new section:
(a) a statement by the LORD,
(b) a question challenging the LORD’s statement,
(c) and then the development of the theme of the section.
See note 6 in “Literary structure and recurring features in Malachi” in the Introduction.
Paragraph 2:17–3:1
2:17a
You have wearied the LORD: The LORD was displeased with what the people were saying, and he was tired of being patient with them.
with your words: This refers to what the people had said. In some languages it may be more natural to use a verb phrase here. For example:
You have said things that make the LORD weary.
2:17c
By saying: This is an ellipsis. In some languages it may be necessary to supply the information which is implied. For example:
You did it by saying, “The Lord thinks anyone who does evil is good…” (New Century Version)
2:17d
All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD: These are words which challenge the LORD. The people were implying that the LORD was no longer behaving as he should. This challenge continues in 2:17e and 2:17f. In some languages it may be necessary to make this challenge explicit. For example:
You have wearied him by suggesting that the Lord favors evildoers since he does not punish them. (New Living Translation (2004))
2:17f
Where is the God of justice?: The Hebrew phrase which the Berean Standard Bible translates as God of justice means “God who rules people fairly.” It implies that he would reward people who do right and punish people who do evil.
This is a rhetorical question. It implies that God was not ruling fairly. In some languages it may be necessary to make this implied information explicit. For example:
Or by asking, “Where is the God who is supposed to be just ?” (Good News Translation)
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