Malachi 1:6-14

The Purpose of Malachi was to confront their sin and encourage them to live in holiness

Time Frame: Malachi spoke to the exiles some 100 years after their initial return, after the days of Zechariah and Haggai. Malachi served God either at the time of Nehemiah or immediately afterwards.

We left off with: The Lord assures the Israelites of His love

The example given a few weeks ago, was before a father disciplines his child, he assures them of his love.

(V6) Speaking to the priest / Not giving due honor to God

A) The priests should be leading by example

They are trained in the law and know it well

The priest are guilty of mocking God and misleading the people

B) By the world’s philosophy

The son honors their father, or servant honors their master, yet the priest who is both a son and a servant does not honor God.

2. (V7-8) Offering blemished animals

A) Against the law

Lev 22:18-20 ““Give Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites these instructions, which apply both to native Israelites and to the foreigners living among you. “If you present a gift as a burnt offering to the Lord, whether it is to fulfill a vow or is a voluntary offering, you will be accepted only if your offering is a male animal with no defects. It may be a bull, a ram, or a male goat. Do not present an animal with defects, because the Lord will not accept it on your behalf.”

B) By doing this, they are showing contempt for the name of God

Contempt is open disrespect or willful disobedience

C) God is looking at the heart of the issue, it’s the condition of their heart

The priest did not honor, love or value their service to God