Malachi’s Understanding of Unfaithfulness in Covenantal Marriage Relationships

Biblical values are true for every age. Yet, under increasing influence from political, economic, and cultural spheres, covenantal marriage has seemingly lost its significance in the eyes of the world. As it stands, God’s design for marriage is overlooked in favour of unfaithful practices and frivolous divorces. How can Malachi’s teaching on covenantal dynamics speak into this pressing issue? Countering this deterioration, Dr. Stephen Oluwarotimi Y. Baba proffers a biblical solution to covenantal marriage discussions through literary and exegetical examinations of Malachi 2:10–16. Exploring the pastoral implications of the text for the contemporary body of Christ, Dr. Baba reveals the inherent dangers of unfaithfulness in marriage unions. In doing so, he argues that God’s goal in Malachi is restoring the original glorious and eternal institution of marriage to its mirror, the marriage of God to His people. Outlining the biblical ethical values of marriage as covenant, this work offers a developed theological understanding of marital unfaithfulness for academic and church communities seeking fresh insight on the topic.