Great in All the World

Intro

We’ve spent the last few weeks in Malachi the prophet, and this evening, we will be in Malachi 1.11-14. But before we read these verses, let’s get a situated again with Malachi.

What kind of Prophecy is this?

Burden

Warning of Judgement

Judgement on who?

Israel, specifically priests up til now.

What have they done wrong

Offered wrong sacrifices

God says this has defiled the altar and His own Name

Low view of God and His covenant.

What does God say He wish the Priests would do?

Shut the doors of the temple, so they could no longer offer useless fire...

Malachi 1:11–14 CSB

11 “My name will be great among the nations, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Incense and pure offerings will be presented in my name in every place because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord of Armies. 12 “But you are profaning it when you say, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled, and its product, its food, is contemptible.’ 13 You also say, ‘Look, what a nuisance!’ And you scorn it,” says the Lord of Armies. “You bring stolen, lame, or sick animals. You bring this as an offering! Am I to accept that from your hands?” asks the Lord. 14 “The deceiver is cursed who has an acceptable male in his flock and makes a vow but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the Lord of Armies, “and my name will be feared among the nations.

My Name Will Be Great...

From the Rising to the Setting of the Sun

Firstly, God’s proclamation in Mal. 1.11

Malachi 1:11 CSB

11 “My name will be great among the nations, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Incense and pure offerings will be presented in my name in every place because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord of Armies.

What does it mean that the Lord’s name will be great among the nations?

This is where the prophecy starts to get into very familiar territory for us. Because, in a sense, this is about the Church!

God has brought the worship of Himself to the Gentiles, and His name is known in all the world! We, the church offer pure sacrifices to Him, and burn incense to His name — this last in Prayer according to the Revelation.

Profaning the Name

Defiling the Table and Food

Malachi 1:12–13 CSB

12 “But you are profaning it when you say, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled, and its product, its food, is contemptible.’ 13 You also say, ‘Look, what a nuisance!’ And you scorn it,” says the Lord of Armies. “You bring stolen, lame, or sick animals. You bring this as an offering! Am I to accept that from your hands?” asks the Lord.

Remember last week, we talked about how the Priests had held God in such low regard; they showed this by what they offered to Him. Now, we see their attitude on full display.

What was in their hearts?

The priests were profaning God’s holy name when they defiled — or desecrated — His altar with poor sacrifices.

Their attitudes were:

Treating the offering as contemptible — putting their nose up at it, despising it, disregarding it.

Scorning the sacrifices and even believing that performing them was “a nuisance”!

What are some things Christians may treat this way today?

They show their disregard and their wickedness of heart in what they offer, as we have already seen up til now. But v. 13 mentions again:

Stolen

Sick

Lame

God is pointing out to them how absurd it is to offer things like this to the Most Holy One in His own Temple!

Give What’s Promised

Malachi 1:14 CSB

14 “The deceiver is cursed who has an acceptable male in his flock and makes a vow but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the Lord of Armies, “and my name will be feared among the nations.

God also knew that they were making vows and not delivering! He’s letting them know that He sees it and that He is not pleased.

Vows to God are weighty matters, and God cares very much about keeping your word to Him!

Japhath and his daughter...

He knew there were acceptable animals which they were holding back, intentionally.

Ananias and Sapphira come to mind...

And the reason why this is so absurd, the reason why it is so gross is made plain by God — “for I am a Great King”

Conclusion

In today’s world, Christians can have these same attitudes — and many do. It is no less pleasing to God now than it was 3,000 years ago.

Church,we must offer to God that which He commands of us in worship to Him — and we must do so without complaint, with gladness of heart, and from the heart!