Malachi 1:6-14

Temple leadership unacceptable

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 7: Daniel and the Minor Prophets A. Disrespectful Service (1:6–7)

They, the servants at the temple who were the closest to sacred things were the ones who had defaulted in the most central obligation of all—that of honoring God. And if the leadership failed, what could the people be expected to do? But spiritual leaders, both ancient and modern alike, have often run the risk of treating sacred things as ordinary. Intimate familiarity with holy matters conduces to treating them with indifference.

They despised His name 1:6

It was revealed by showing no honor (glory) or respect (fear) for the LORD of hosts

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 7: Daniel and the Minor Prophets A. Disrespectful Service (1:6–7)

They, the servants at the temple who were the closest to sacred things were the ones who had defaulted in the most central obligation of all—that of honoring God. And if the leadership failed, what could the people be expected to do? But spiritual leaders, both ancient and modern alike, have often run the risk of treating sacred things as ordinary. Intimate familiarity with holy matters conduces to treating them with indifference.

They expected their earthly sons and servants to show them respect

God required children to show respect to their parents

Exodus 20:12 NKJV

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

The LORD of hosts asks the question where is my honor and reverence

Israel’s relationship with God was as with a son and Father

Exodus 4:22 NKJV

Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn.

Exodus 4:

Hosea 11:1 NKJV

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.

The

Exodus 20:12 NKJV

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Exodus 20:22

They showed contempt for God’s name with their disrespectful service and attitude

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) 1022 בָּזָה

show contempt for, think lightly, i.e., pertaining to feeling of contempt for an object, because it is regarded to be bad, or of little value, often with behaviors toward the object (including speaking scorn and ridicule) which correspond to that contempt

They were deceived and blind to their guilt shown in their response to God’s indictment

Matthew 15:14 NKJV

Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

God responds to their question by revealing their attitude towards the sacrifices 1:7-8

Unacceptable sacrifices 1:8-9

Despised worship

Their offering is contaminated by their attitude 1:7

They were offering a defiled sacrifice

God in answering their question reveals the importance of the heart attitude of the offerer

God’s indictment about their attitude is confirmed by their actions 1:8

Deuteronomy 15:21 NKJV

But if there is a defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.

Deut

Polluted sacrifices

What evidence showed they despised the name of God? 1:7a

They offered defiled sacrifices

Lamentations 4:14 NKJV

They wandered blind in the streets; They have defiled themselves with blood, So that no one would touch their garments.

Lamentations

They were stained

Isaiah 59:3 NKJV

For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.

Isaiah

Daniel 1:8 NKJV

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

The quality of their offerings were prohibited by scripture

Deuteronomy 15:21 NKJV

But if there is a defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.

They were ceremonially unclean

Lamentations 4:14 NKJV

They wandered blind in the streets; They have defiled themselves with blood, So that no one would touch their garments.

God considered their offering evil

Lamentations 4:14

Isaiah 59:3 NKJV

For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.

God compared their offering to what they would give to Persian government official

Daniel 1:8 NKJV

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

God was not pleased with them

God would not respond favorably and accept their offering

They offered sacrifices they wouldn’t even give to their government officials 1:8

Repent and ask for grace

They abused the grace of God 1:9

God uses irony to show the foolish thinking of the priests 1:9

Do you think your prayers and worship will receive God’s approval?

As long as this is your heart’s attitude and actions God is not pleased

Temple worship unacceptable

Live a worthy testimony

Shut the Temple doors 1:10

Some believe the priests were charging for even the “smallest exertion” such as closing the doors. Charles Feinberg

Isaiah 1:11–15 NKJV

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

Isaiah 1:

Profaning the name of God

Starting the fire for the altar for these sacrifices was vanity

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) 2855 חִנָּם

for nothing, for free, i.e., pertaining to expending energy or releasing a possession or value without compensation (Ge 29:15); 2. LN 89.39–89.54 in vain, for nothing, to no avail, i.e., pertaining to not having a proper or adequate result (Eze 6:10); 3. LN 89.15–89.38 without cause, for no reason, i.e., pertaining to not having a basis or ground for an argument (Ps 35:7)

God took no pleasure in the priests “you”

God would not accept the offerings from their hands

Set a good testimony to the world 1:11

God’s name is great all day long and in every nation

Disgusted with worship

Prayers and worship must be pure

Their speech dishonored the worship 1:12-13

Speech condemning the sacrifices and service of the LORD 1:12

Cursed on false worship

Speech complaining about the duty of worship 1:13

Cursed worship 1:14

The deceit of the offerer

As the proper sacrifice but saves for himself

God deserves our best