As Malachi the prophet
continued to share the word of the Lord, he wrote to the children of
Israel concerning their contemptible offerings and poor sacrifices.
He challenged them to bring those sacrifices to their governor and
examine his pleasure with them, and he wondered if they thought the
Lord would be gracious because of their lack as well. In chapter one
and verse ten of Malachi's prophecy, the Lord questions even their
method of offerings and shares His displeasure with them. We read:
Who
is there even among you that would shut the doors for
nothing? neither do you kindle fire on mine altar for
nothing. I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, neither
will I accept an offering at your hand.
The verse begins, “Who is there even among you
that would shut the doors for nothing?” The
Lord's question to Israel is “Who is there” or “Isn't
there anyone” with them who would “shut the doors” of
the temple “for nothing” or “without pay”? The
condition of the hearts and minds of those who cared for the temple
of the Lord was a desire to be compensated for all they did. God's
idea was since nothing was going on in sincerity within the offering
process, they should shut the doors of the temple.
The
verse continues, “neither do you kindle fire on
mine altar for nothing.” A second area of offering preparation
was when they “kindle fire” upon the altar. There was also
an expectation of compensation for this activity from the priests.
Once again the inference is that it would be better that they not
kindle a fire at all because of their contempt for holy things.
The
verse goes on to say, “I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD
of hosts,...” Without holding back or mincing any words, “the
LORD of hosts” told them, “I have no pleasure in you”
which means “no delight” in them at all. Because they regarded
the sacrifices of the Lord with little concern and contemptible
behavior, the Lord would “have no pleasure” in them at
all.
Finally
the verse says, “neither will I accept an offering at
your hand.” In addition to not
having pleasure in them, the Lord also rejected their “offering”.
Even though the people went through the motions, looked as though
they were worshiping, and played the role of worshipers of God, their
hearts and minds were far from the Lord and He would not “accept”
or “be pleased with or be
favorable to” their offerings.
Worship
of the Lord was so routine and mundane for the Israelites that they
carelessly and flippantly went through the motions of worshiping God,
however there was no heart within their activities. The Lord
basically told them if this was the way their worship was going to
be, they were better off closing the doors and not kindling a fire
for the sacrifices. Thoughtless and meaningless worship wasn't
worship at all, and those who worshiped in this manner would be
better off not attempting anything. Their offerings were not accepted
by the Lord, and they certainly didn't please Him. As we ponder these
things, perhaps it will help us to examine how we worship the Lord.
Would He be pleased with our worship? Would He accept our offerings
of praise? Are our hearts and minds engaged as we have opportunities
to bring our sacrifices of service and devotion to Him? May the Lord
help us to know when we stray from fully engaging ourselves in
worshipping Him, and may He not only have pleasure in our worship,
but also receive any offering we give to Him.
Next
time Malachi writes concerning the Gentiles and their worship of the
Lord,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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