Malachi 1:1-14 (ESV)
1 The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say,
“How have you loved us?”
“Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob
3 but Esau I have hated, I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.”
4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.’”
5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!”
6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor?
And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name.
But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’
By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised.
8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil?
Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor?, says Lord of hosts.
9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us.
With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you?, says Lord of hosts.
10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.
11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.
12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised.
13But you say, ‘what a weariness this is’, and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering!
Shall accept that from your hand? Says the Lord.
14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For i am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.
“How Have You Loved Us?”(vv. 1-5)
God’s love is unconditional and covenantal. Yet Israel questioned His love due to their difficult reality. But God replies, “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother ? Yet i have loved Jacob…”
God’s love is proven through history-His sovereign choice and His justice.
We don’t measure God’s love by feelings but by the cross and His faithfulness.
Have i ever doubted God’s love based on my current circumstances?
Do i believe God’s love is a covenant, not just an emotion?
“Blind and Sick Offerings”(vv. 6-9)
The priests offered blemished sacrifice-things not even fit for human rulers.
Worship became a burden, and God was no longer honored.
God is not pleased with leftovers or empty rituals. He desired heartfelt worship.
Am i giving God my best, or just what is left?
Do i honor God with reverence, or treat worship as a routine?
“Shut the Temple Doors”(vv.10-14)
God says it would be better to close the temple than to continue offering fake worship. This shows how deeply God values sincerity over religious routine.
He will raise up worshipers from every nation who truly honor His name.
Would God be please with my worship today?
Is my worship rooted in reverence and love, or habit and convenience?
댓글
댓글 쓰기