When the Old Testament comes to an end in the book of Malachi, there was much for the Jew (and now for the modern Bible reader) to learn. Without even looking at the specific instructions from the Lord and the specific rebukes that He issues to them, look at some simple wording used repeatedly in this short book.
In a book that only has 55 verses, the Bible student will read 26 times, “Says the Lord” (usually “says the Lord of hosts”). 26 times! On average, in almost every two verses, God is saying, “Says the Lord, Says the Lord, Says the Lord.” Listen up, people! But, 8 times in this short book, after the Lord “says” what needs to be said to these sinful people, He follows that up by saying, “You say,” and usually “Yet you say” (1:2, 6, 12; 2:14, 17; 3:8, 13).
When the Lord “says” what we need to hear, there is no room for “yet you say”! There is only room for “hearing” and “doing” (Matt. 7:24-37; Jas. 1:22-25). Otherwise, we’ve surely got trouble!