The prophet Malachi emphasises the duty of faithfulness to the marriage bond not only by adducing the divine hatred of all treachery, but also by representing that Jehovah Himself is the witness to the marriage covenant. The contempt with which the offerings of the Jews were received had its explanation, according to this prophet, in the moral fault of the worshippers. To their question why their service was unacceptable he answers thus:
"Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. . . . Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For I hate putting away, saith the Lord, the God of Israel, and him that covereth his garment with violence, saith the Lord of Hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously."[2]
Malachi, as afterwards our Lord, refers to
