Honoring God: A Call to Genuine Worship
"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." - Malachi 1:6-8
The prophet Malachi speaks a profound message in the first chapter of his book. In verses 6-8, he conveys a rhetorical challenge from the Lord that resonates deeply with the contemporary believer. The KJV states: "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."
In these verses, God is addressing the priests of Israel, reminding them of their sacred duty to honor Him through their offerings and worship. This passage begins with a poignant reminder of honor and respect that a son owes to his father and a servant to his master. The imagery is powerful; it illustrates the innate understanding we have of honor in both familial and social contexts. However, God poses a direct question to the priests, questioning the honor owed to Him as their heavenly Father and Master.
At its core, this passage emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and His people. God, as our Father, deserves our respect, reverence, and the highest form of worship. Yet, the priests have neglected this calling, offering "polluted bread" upon His altar. What does it mean to offer polluted sacrifices? It refers to the Israelites’ tendency to present offerings that fell short, exemplified by animals that were blind, lame, or sick. In doing so, they exhibited a dismissive attitude towards God’s standards.
Offering polluted sacrifices reflects a profound truth about human nature — we often give God what is convenient or easy rather than what is deserving of His majesty. The priests' excuses mirror our own justifications when we offer God the leftovers of our time, resources, and devotion. How often do we check a box instead of engaging authentically in our worship? It becomes a question of value: if we see God's table as contemptible, we are bound to present Him with lackluster offerings.
In verse 8, God offers a striking comparison: If you wouldn't dare present such gifts to your governor, why do you think I would accept them? This sentence challenges us to reflect on our lives. How do we approach God? Is our worship something we prioritize, or is it something we squeeze in when it’s convenient? In our actions, are we offering the best of ourselves to God, or are we giving what is left over after we’ve filled our own plates?
This devotion to honor is especially relevant in our world today, where it is all too easy to turn worship into an obligation rather than an act of reverence. The practices of worship should flow from genuine love and appreciation for what God has done for us — the grace and gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. This grace calls us to a sacrificial life, one that is marked by a commitment to honor God fully.
As we reflect on this message from Malachi, let us ask ourselves: Are we honoring God with our lives, our offerings, and our worship? Are we giving Him our best or simply going through the motions? Let us strive to cultivate hearts that respect and revere God, offering Him not just our remnants but our firstfruits — those things that truly honor Him. May we come to understand that in honoring Him, we find our true purpose and fulfillment, and indeed, we are blessed beyond measure.
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Malachi 1:6-8 Artwork
Malachi 1:6-8 - "A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the Lord Almighty. It is you priests who show contempt for my name. But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?' By offering defiled food on my altar. But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' By saying that the Lord's table is contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you? says the Lord Almighty."
"A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the Lord Almighty. It is you priests who show contempt for my name. But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?' By offering defiled food on my altar. But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' By saying that the Lord's table is contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you? says the Lord Almighty." - Malachi 1:6-8
Genesis 1:6-8
Genesis 1:6-8
Malachi 1:1 - "The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi."
"The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi." - Malachi 1:1
Malachi 1:8 - "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."
Malachi 4:1-2a
Malachi 4:1-2a
Malachi 3:6 - "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."
The Last Prophet of the Old Testament Malachi
Malachi 4:6 - "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."
Malachi 2:1 - "And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you."
Malachi 3:8 - "¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."
1 Kings 8:6-8
Malachi 2:8 - "But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts."
Malachi 1:6 - "¶ 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?"
Malachi 2:6 - "The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity."
Malachi 1:8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 1:8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 1:5 - "And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel."
Malachi 1:3 - "And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness."
Psalm 8:3-6
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." - Malachi 3:6
"And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you." - Malachi 2:1
Malachi 1:12 - "¶ 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."
1 Chronicles 6:8 - "And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,"
1 Corinthians 6:8 - "Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren."
1 Timothy 6:8 - "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
Malachi 1:7 - "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."