is simply “in what?” It means “in what way?” or “wherein?” This will be a repeated response of the people according to Malachi. Their question is a demand for the prophet to prove God loved them, but it is addressed to God: “wherein have you loved us?” “oracle.” The reply is an oracle from the LORD through the prophet: it begins in verse 2 and extends to verse 3. The text has the noun נְאֻם, “an oracle.” It would be rendered: “[is the] oracle of Yahweh,” but most translate it simply with “says.”