Malachi 1: Sacrificial Worship

​Key Verse
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord….11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place, incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. 
 
Meditation
God is worthy of sacrificial worship. In view of God’s mercy, Christians are compelled to live with an overflow of genuine sacrifices of gratitude and praise.
 
Today’s reading introduces Malachi’s prophecy, a prophet called to speak God’s word to God’s people after the return of exile and during the restoration of the temple. Malachi’s focus was on restoring right worship and righteous leadership in Jerusalem’s second temple, his opening words revealing the foundation of God’s work: “I have loved you,” says the Lord (v. 1). Love is why God speaks to His people. Love is why God restores His people. Love is why we sacrificially worship God. 
 
God’s love had lead Israel through the judgement of exile to the restoration of life in His covenant blessings. God’s sovereignty over history, working all things for the good of His people and the glory of His name, displays God’s greatness beyond national boarders (v. 5) and exalts His glorious Name among the nations (vv. 11, 14). Faithful and sacrificial worship is how God’s people participate in God’s purpose to glorify Himself. 
 
Unworthy sacrifices withhold the honor God deserves (v. 6), pollutes God’s praise (vv. 7-8), insults God (vv. 9-10), and cuts off God’s people from accessing God’s blessings (vv. 12-14).
 
When we receive God’s mercy without sacrificial worship then we identify with people whom Malachi condemned, those offering polluted and problematic sacrifices. Living lives of worship should cost Christians something, truly. Jesus bore our judgement so we can experience restoration in His covenant blessings. God is worthy of our greatest sacrifice!
 
Today’s Reading
The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.

The Lord's Love for Israel
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob's brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.’” 5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!”

The Priests' Polluted Offerings
6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. 9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised.13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Is your life and love marked with sacrifice worthy of worship to a God who loves you, gave everything for you, and whose greatness is glorious above all nations?
 
-What descriptions of polluted and problematic sacrifices stand out to you from today’s reading? Where do you identify with bringing “blind… lame… spoiled…” sacrifices to the Lord?
 
-Take time to view God’s mercy and meditate on how you can respond by living a life of sacrifice and praise for the Lord. What does costly worship look like through your life and labor? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord….11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place, incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.