Malachi perceived his social setting to reflect three distinct groups: an inner-group of the pious and the faithful whose blessedness was assured, an in-group of skeptics whose salvation was questionable but still possible if they repented, and an out-group of arrogant evildoers for whom only condemnation was possible. This three-group model was an essential element of Malachi's thought. An exegesis of Malachi 3:13-4:3 is offered as an example.
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