When Judah, Israel and
Jerusalem and their priests began to manage their spiritual lives
with contempt, “The LORD of hosts” observed them in their
practices. Though they went through the motions, their hearts and
minds were not into their sacrifices and worship, and they began to
worship “strange gods” in addition to their apathy. In Malachi
chapter two and verse thirteen, Malachi shares how even their tears,
weeping and crying at the altar of the Lord was insincere. We read:
And this have you done again, covering the altar
of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch
that he regards not the offering any more, or receives it
with good will at your hand.
The verse begins, “And
this have you done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears,
with weeping, and with crying out,” Let us notice first, that
the Lord calls attention to the repetitive behavior which He is about
to declare - “done again” or for “a second time”. In
other words, this was not the first time they were involved in the
practices of “covering the altar of the LORD with tears”
which refers to the tears that flowed from their eyes, “weeping”
which means “making great lamentation”, “and with crying
out” which means “groaning, clamor and sighing”. Those in
great anguish often fill altars with tears, weeping and crying out.
The verse goes on to
say, “insomuch that he regards not the offering any more,
or receives it with good will at your hand.”
Though the people shed their
tears, wept, and cried out, the Lord “regards not” or
“turns away from, declines or puts away” “the
offering any more” which
refers to their “gifts, offerings, or sacrifices”. The Lord no
longer “receives it with good will”
which means “take, take in hand or carry along with pleasure,
delight, favor, goodwill, or acceptance” “at your hand”.
In other words, because of their behavior and attitudes toward the
worship and sacrifices they offered to the Lord, He rejects their
offerings even though they were presented with tears, weeping and
crying out.
How long has it been since we have truly wept at the
altar? How long has it been since tears flowed from our eyes in
sincerity toward our Lord, and how long has it been that we cried out
so passionately that our heartfelt groans were heard by Him? Perhaps
the inspiration of this verse will be two-fold – First, we should
examine whether our attitudes and behavior toward the Lord are
sincere and with holy regard. Second, we should pour out our hearts
through tears, weeping, and crying out that He may receive the
offerings of our hands from hearts that are toward Him and not just
going through the motions. May the Lord help us in both regards.
Next
time the Lord shares concerning their treatment of their wives,
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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