Project 119: Malachi 1:6-14
| Project 119 | Tim Sanderlin
“Blemished Sacrifices”
Praise the Lord Almighty that we no longer have to sacrifice animals, am I right? I mean the inconvenience alone is enough to be thankful for, but also it would get pretty expensive after a while. Not to mention how unsanitary it is! First, let’s thank the Lord this morning that He has given us an atoning sacrifice that He found worthy, once and for all. But, by no means did the Lord say that we were done with sacrificing! We are now to live our lives as living sacrifices by serving the Lord and humbling ourselves to those around us.
This morning we see through Malachi 1 that God is not fooled by our languid sacrifices. He even says He would rather someone close the gates to the temple than have His people continue to give Him “defiled sacrifices!” While we are apathetic about our gifts to the Lord of Lords, He Himself is not ambivalent—He is hurt and insulted by our lack of giving our utmost for His Highest. As we worship indifferently, as we choose ourselves over the poor and needy, and as we seek Him half-heartedly, we show Him that He is not the cry of our hearts. Our second-rate gift giving does nothing but insist that we think lowly of Him.
If you’ve ever been to a Dirty Santa party (one where only gag-gifts are exchanged), you know that it is humorous to try and feel honored or respected by the gifts you receive. One year, I was so lovingly given a hard-boiled egg as a gift. Now image us trying to pawn something so ridiculous off on the Lord Almighty! In Malachi 1:8 the Lord asks us to imagine giving an unwanted gift like this to the governor. We would do no such thing! Let this be a gut-check for us in our giving to the Lord Most High! One day “in every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to [His] name, because [His] name will be great among the nations” (Malachi 1:11 NIV). As Christians, we believe that we are to exalt that Name above all other names as long we shall live.
Lord, we pray our lifting of Your Name would begin with our gifts and offerings to You.
Malachi 1:6-14 (ESV):
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[fn] 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.