Malachi 1: Taking God Seriously
The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,
And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever.
And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The Lord will be magnified from the border of Israel.
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.
And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the Lord of hosts.
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord.
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.
Malachi 1 serves as a powerful opening to the book, setting the stage for God's message to a nation that had grown complacent in their faith. The prophet, whose name means "My Messenger" (Malachi 1:1), delivers a wake-up call, urging Israel to take God seriously. The structure of Malachi is artful, presenting messages in a dialogue form, where God's accusations are met with Israel's indifferent responses, such as "How have we done that?" This chapter, along with the first nine verses of chapter 2, forms the first of three primary messages, primarily directed towards the priests, highlighting their critical role in guiding the people.
God's Unwavering Love (Malachi 1:2-5)
The Lord begins by declaring, "I have loved you" (Malachi 1:2). This is the foundation upon which all else rests. God's love for Israel is not a matter of debate, but a historical reality. To illustrate this, God contrasts Israel's fate with that of Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. "I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau" (Malachi 1:2-3). This "hate" signifies God's choice, His selection. Just as Jesus calls his followers to “hate” their parents in comparison to their love for Him (Luke 14:26), this passage speaks to prioritizing God above all else. While Edom faced destruction and desolation for their wickedness, destined to be demolished even if they tried to rebuild (Malachi 1:4), Israel, despite their sins, had been preserved and shown mercy. God chose Jacob—that is, Israel—to establish a covenantal relationship with him and receive his blessings. He selected them for a purpose: to be a light to the nations. Even though Israel has been persecuted and scattered, God has kept them alive and intact. The same was not true of Israel's national "brother." This is given as proof that God has shown more favor to Israel than other people.
Despising God's Name (Malachi 1:6-14)
The core of Malachi 1 exposes Israel's corrupted worship. God accuses the priests of "despising [His] name" (Malachi 1:6). This wasn't overt blasphemy, but a subtle erosion of reverence through offering unacceptable sacrifices. The priests were presenting defiled food on [his] altar (Malachi 1:7). Instead of adhering to the detailed instructions given by Moses (Leviticus 22:17-33), they offered blind, lame, or sick animals (Malachi 1:8). Such offerings were so poor that even a human governor would reject them. This reveals a profound lack of respect and a failure to take God seriously. The priests knew the right way to worship, but they saw it as a nuisance, too much trouble (Malachi 1:13). They were quick to give God so little, yet they still expected his blessings (Malachi 1:9).
God's response is a rejection of their worship. He declares He would rather have no sacrifices at all than receive these defiled offerings (Malachi 1:10). Apathetic, selfish, or profane worship is worse than no worship at all. God wasn’t impressed: "I am not pleased with you . . . and I will accept no offering from your hands" (Malachi 1:10). They are aware of the proper sacrifices, and the right way to teach the people. But they see these as too much trouble (Malachi 1:13). Men routinely make promises to God that they don't keep for selfish reasons (Malachi 1:14).
This chapter also contains a prophetic rebuke concerning the Gentiles. Israel, secure in their status as the "chosen nation," is confronted with the reality that God will be worshipped in purity by the Gentiles (Malachi 1:11). This is a powerful message that God's glory extends beyond Israel and that true worship transcends ethnicity. The Lord declares that His name will be great among the nations (Malachi 1:11).
The priests, in particular, know the right things to do. They are aware of the proper sacrifices, and the right way to teach the people. But they see these as too much trouble (Malachi 1:13). Men routinely make promises to God that they don't keep for selfish reasons (Malachi 1:14).
A Call to Heartfelt Worship
Malachi 1 calls us to examine the sincerity of our worship. Are we offering God our best, or are we giving Him our leftovers? Do you want a first-class God while offering second-class worship? Do you give him your leftover time, talents, and treasures after you have little or nothing left? Are you unwilling to be inconvenienced by involvement in the church? Do you avoid sacrificing for fellow believers? You don’t have to say you despise the Lord: to convey the same point, all you have to do is give him your leftovers while also asking for his blessings.
Even in condemnation, God's mercy shines through. Despite Israel's disregard, God is still trying to reach His people, for their own benefit.
The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,
And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever.
And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The Lord will be magnified from the border of Israel.
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.
And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the Lord of hosts.
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord.
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.
Malachi 1 serves as a powerful opening to the book, setting the stage for God's message to a nation that had grown complacent in their faith. The prophet, whose name means "My Messenger" (Malachi 1:1), delivers a wake-up call, urging Israel to take God seriously. The structure of Malachi is artful, presenting messages in a dialogue form, where God's accusations are met with Israel's indifferent responses, such as "How have we done that?" This chapter, along with the first nine verses of chapter 2, forms the first of three primary messages, primarily directed towards the priests, highlighting their critical role in guiding the people.
God's Unwavering Love (Malachi 1:2-5)
The Lord begins by declaring, "I have loved you" (Malachi 1:2). This is the foundation upon which all else rests. God's love for Israel is not a matter of debate, but a historical reality. To illustrate this, God contrasts Israel's fate with that of Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. "I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau" (Malachi 1:2-3). This "hate" signifies God's choice, His selection. Just as Jesus calls his followers to “hate” their parents in comparison to their love for Him (Luke 14:26), this passage speaks to prioritizing God above all else. While Edom faced destruction and desolation for their wickedness, destined to be demolished even if they tried to rebuild (Malachi 1:4), Israel, despite their sins, had been preserved and shown mercy. God chose Jacob—that is, Israel—to establish a covenantal relationship with him and receive his blessings. He selected them for a purpose: to be a light to the nations. Even though Israel has been persecuted and scattered, God has kept them alive and intact. The same was not true of Israel's national "brother." This is given as proof that God has shown more favor to Israel than other people.
Despising God's Name (Malachi 1:6-14)
The core of Malachi 1 exposes Israel's corrupted worship. God accuses the priests of "despising [His] name" (Malachi 1:6). This wasn't overt blasphemy, but a subtle erosion of reverence through offering unacceptable sacrifices. The priests were presenting defiled food on [his] altar (Malachi 1:7). Instead of adhering to the detailed instructions given by Moses (Leviticus 22:17-33), they offered blind, lame, or sick animals (Malachi 1:8). Such offerings were so poor that even a human governor would reject them. This reveals a profound lack of respect and a failure to take God seriously. The priests knew the right way to worship, but they saw it as a nuisance, too much trouble (Malachi 1:13). They were quick to give God so little, yet they still expected his blessings (Malachi 1:9).
God's response is a rejection of their worship. He declares He would rather have no sacrifices at all than receive these defiled offerings (Malachi 1:10). Apathetic, selfish, or profane worship is worse than no worship at all. God wasn’t impressed: "I am not pleased with you . . . and I will accept no offering from your hands" (Malachi 1:10). They are aware of the proper sacrifices, and the right way to teach the people. But they see these as too much trouble (Malachi 1:13). Men routinely make promises to God that they don't keep for selfish reasons (Malachi 1:14).
This chapter also contains a prophetic rebuke concerning the Gentiles. Israel, secure in their status as the "chosen nation," is confronted with the reality that God will be worshipped in purity by the Gentiles (Malachi 1:11). This is a powerful message that God's glory extends beyond Israel and that true worship transcends ethnicity. The Lord declares that His name will be great among the nations (Malachi 1:11).
The priests, in particular, know the right things to do. They are aware of the proper sacrifices, and the right way to teach the people. But they see these as too much trouble (Malachi 1:13). Men routinely make promises to God that they don't keep for selfish reasons (Malachi 1:14).
A Call to Heartfelt Worship
Malachi 1 calls us to examine the sincerity of our worship. Are we offering God our best, or are we giving Him our leftovers? Do you want a first-class God while offering second-class worship? Do you give him your leftover time, talents, and treasures after you have little or nothing left? Are you unwilling to be inconvenienced by involvement in the church? Do you avoid sacrificing for fellow believers? You don’t have to say you despise the Lord: to convey the same point, all you have to do is give him your leftovers while also asking for his blessings.
Even in condemnation, God's mercy shines through. Despite Israel's disregard, God is still trying to reach His people, for their own benefit.