This week I ran out of time to write an original summary so here's one from MyJewishLearning.com/article/haftarah-for-toldot/
God's expectations for the Israelites and the priests. Much of the haftarah is written in a back and forth style as an argument between God and the people of Israel. This is unique to the book of Malakhi. In many ways it points away from the traditional prophesy and toward the question and answer style of talmudic discussion that will become popular in the legal texts that star in the next era of Jewish history.
Yet Malakhi maintains the classic message of the prophets: that the people have been doing wrong, and need to repent. In 1:7 he says, “You offer defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying the table of the Lord can be treated with scorn.'” He is scolding the people for their lax treatment of sacrifices and their subsequent surprise when the sacrifices do not elicit positive responses from God.
This theme of dissatisfaction with the sacrifices being offered in the Temple is repeated throughout the first chapter of the book of Malakhi. The people have been offering animals that are blemished, stolen, lame, and sick, and God will not accept them. God chastises the people, reminding them that “My name is honored among the nations, and everywhere incense and pure oblation are offered to My name” (1:11).
In addition to the problems with the goods sacrificed, Malakhi takes issue with the priests, who have been neglecting their duties. The haftarah closes with a charge to the priests, reminding them that they are examples for the rest of the Israelites, and that they need to serve with loyalty. They, like Malakhi, are messengers of God.
