The prophet as YHWH’s official spokesman == “My messenger” == his personality subsumed by his role.
Malachi 1:14
Why should I, worthy of reverence among the nations, put up with the likes of you? I don’t get no respect, says YHWH.
Malachi 2:7
The responsibility of the priesthood (religious education), which the prophet, by implication of his name, has had to assume.
Malachi 2:16
Personal holiness associated with fruitfulness in marriage (contrasted with divorce==violence!)
Malachi 3:1
Sudden change of tone —a new document?
Between J. Baptist and G. F. Handel, this is impossible to read without thinking of messianic conent fulfilled in J. C. (YHWH —> cf. John 2:19-21)
Malachi 3:6
A succinct statement of God’s covenant-loyalty to Jacob — or perhaps to his essential nature as indicated in I John 4:8, 16.
Malachi 3:10
Inappropriately quoted by more preachers than could dance on the head of a pin.
—This verse has proved profitable for God only knows how many shady fund-raising projects—
Malachi 4:3
One of the anticipated joys of Heaven — grinding one’s heel into the remains of the wicked…
Malachi 4:5
Obviously understood by Jesus as fulfilled in JBap (John the Baptist) — see Mark 9:13, also cf. Luke 1:17.
Zechariah 1:8
A vision in the night
Characteristic of late apocalyptic as well as earlier prophetic experience (cf. Daniel & Joseph) but not of the “classical” prophets.
Zechariah 1:12
The angel of YHWH talks to YHWH
Seventy years…. indicates a knowledge of the tradition of Jeremiah.
Zechariah 1:16
The first mention of the rebuilding of the house — a consequence, and not a condition, of God’s mercy, in contrast with Haggai.
Zechariah 1:20
Craftsmen —> God’s plan to overthrow the wicked empires.
Symbolic language is probably necessary here for reasons of poitical safety… too explicit a condemnation of Persia, for instance, would endanger the establishment of which Z. was apparently a member.
