B13-devotions

Malachi 1:6-14

Devotions for Friday 12th March

In this remarkable passage, we find ourselves thrust into the Malachi’s most heartfelt concerns about the worship of God’s people. As we read, we are thrust into the arcane world of sacrificial worship, which is an area of the Old Testament that many Christians avoid because it is so far removed from our worship today. Nevertheless, we can easily perceive that the problem with this worship was that the priests had begun to treat their duties with contempt and the worship performed was far from what the Lord expected of His people. Although the ancient laws of sacrificial worship are hard to comprehend, they can help us with our faith today; for example, they can help us appreciate more fully the meaning of Christ’s death on the Cross (as in Hebrews 9). As far as this passage is concerned, our study of it will help us gain insight into some valuable spiritual lessons about the worship of God, even today.

What we have read is an anguished call from God, the ‘Lord of Hosts’, disputing the negative attitudes and practices of the priests in Jerusalem during the fifth century BC, after the Exile and the rebuilding of the Temple (see yesterday’s study). People were poor, and Jerusalem was a shadow of its former self. Malachi’s prophecy reads like an argument between God and priests, who stood accused of having a slack attitude towards worship because they were ‘defiling’ the altars in the Temple and the ‘table of the Lord’ (1:7,12). Their attitude towards God was wrong (1:6,7), because they not only offered ‘defiled food’ on the altar, they also told others that the quality of sacrifice did not matter (1:7). Leviticus tells us (see 1:3,10, 3:1,6 etc) that the only animals acceptable for sacrificial worship were perfect males, and from the point of view of both breeding and eating, these were the most valuable specimens. The idea was that only the best was appropriate for the worship of God; but instead of helping the people sustain this proper attitude to worship during difficult times, the priests changed the rules!

The Lord’s anger at this downgrading of worship was considerable; was he of less worth than an earthly master (1:8)? More than this, however, Malachi’s prophecy said something far more significant; defiled and impure offerings were not just an insult to God, they were unacceptable to Him! If Israel would not offer the Lord proper worship, then He would prefer that the doors of the Temple be shut (1:10)! Moreover, He would accept worship from whosoever offered it amongst the nations (1:11)! It is here that we read the famous words; ‘From the rising of the sun to its setting, my name is great among the nations.’ These words have been passed down in Christian tradition in the form found in Psalm 113:3; ‘From the rising of the sun to its setting, my name is greatly to be praised.’ Malachi’s vision may have come from the Psalm, or the Psalm come from Malachi’s vision, but it expresses superbly the authority and majesty of God.

We should not fail to appreciate the importance of this text. God’s rejection of inappropriate worship was not a matter of His not being sensitive to the circumstances of His people, but of the people’s unwillingness to honour the Lord as truly God. Second class worship of God is not good enough, irrespective of life’s circumstances. Even if life is tough, it is still possible to show true faith and give one’s best to God. Offering the best does not mean ‘doing things perfectly’, but it does mean being disciplined enough to do things well because we worship God who is our Creator and Redeemer. Christian worship must surely reflect a pure heart of love, devotion, service and care according to the revelation of Christ in God’s Word, throughout history and in our own lives. Poor standards of worship are an insult to God today just as much in Malachi’s day; for example, in sermons that show little dedication to God’s Word, or in shabbily organised services of worship that are incomprehensible to those to whom we witness (see 1 Cor. 14). Together with Malachi, we must show spiritual discernment in matters of worship.

Going Deeper

If we are to understand this passage properly, then we must work our way through the ‘to and fro’ comments of this prophecy because these reflect what the priests were saying about sacrifices and worship, and God’s responses. As we do this, we will find that the prophecy links with other Old Testament prophecies that are Messianic in nature, and look forward to the New Testament.

6 ‘A son honours his father and a servant his master. Now, if I am a father, where is my honour? If I am a Lord, where is my respect? The Lord of Hosts says this to you, you priests who despise my name!’

‘But you say, “How have we despised Your name?” 7 In offering defiled food upon my altar! Then you ask, “How have we defiled You?” In your declaring that the Lord’s table is being defiled!’

8 Is it not wrong for you to offer a blind animal for sacrifice? Is it not wrong to offer what is lame or sick? Present this to your governor! Will He be pleased with you or accept you? 9 So plead for the favour of God on us! Will He be accept us when this is happening by your hand?’ says the Lord of Hosts.

10 ‘Who from amongst you would shut the Temple doors so that you would not light up my altars in vain? I take no pleasure in you,’ says the Lord of Hosts, ‘I will not accept an offering from your hands! 11 From the rising of the sun to its setting, my name is great among the nations. In every place incense and a pure gift will be offered to my name, for my name is great among the nations,’ says the Lord of Hosts.

12 ‘But you are profaning it when you declare that the Lord’s table is defiled and what comes from it (its food) is defiled!’ 13 But you say, ‘How troublesome this is,' and you sneer at it,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘You bring what has been stolen or lame or sick, and you bring this as your offering! Shall I accept this from your hand?’ says the Lord. 14 ‘Cursed is the cheat who has a male in his flock, and promises to offer it, and yet sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord; for I am a great King,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘and my name is to be feared among the nations.’

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for we can have confidence in You. You have our best interests at heart, even though we do not fully understand how and why our lives unfold as they do. Give us the courage to hand our problems over to You, O Lord, and trust that all things will work together for good; and when we cannot see how this can possibly be so, surprise us by the miracles of Your grace and compassion. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your care: AMEN

When everything happens around me all too fast,

Lord Jesus, slow me down.

When everything I see appears in chaos and disorder,

Lord Jesus, bring me peace.

When everything challenges what I think to the core,

Lord Jesus, grant me perspective.

When everything I come across is incomprehensible,

Lord Jesus, give me understanding.

When everything around appears to be out of control,

Lord Jesus, keep my faith secure.

When everything I do meets opposition from others,

Lord Jesus, give me courage.

When everything in this world denies all that I believe,

Lord Jesus, show me love.

For You are the Master of all things, the great organiser,

Lord Jesus, we place our hope in You

Prayer ideas

As you meet different people during your day, say a prayer of blessing for them, especially your enemies!

On-going prayers

Pray for the people you know Pray for the elderly people you know and for the various problems they face as they grow older
Give thanks for the opportunities we have to share our faith
Pray for the countries of North Africa and their problems with drought

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