Monday, September 3

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Malachi 1:1-2

An oracle, the word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.

“I have loved you,” says the Lord.

“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’”

Somewhere along the line I either read or heard someone say that when reading a book one should pay special attention to the first thing the author says and the last thing they say. I actually went through a whole portion of graduate school reading the first and last chapters of books – then going back to the middle only if I thought I’d missed something!

Here we see both the beginning of the book called “Malachi” and the end of the book we call the “Old Testament.” We would be wise, then, to assume what is said here is especially important.

The prophet Malachi begins like this:

“I have loved you,” says the Lord.

“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’”

Notice two things right off the bat.

First: the message the Lord God wants to deliver is very clear: “I have loved you.” 

Second; notice that God also anticipates a question in response, “How have you loved us?”

This form of writing, where a statement is made then a question is anticipated in response, is called a disputation – and is a form of argument used in an ancient court of law. Malachi presents at least 6 such “disputations” – which take the form of 6 mini-sermons that the prophet delivers to God’s people.

The first of these sermons has to do with people questioning or doubting God’s love for them.

Malachi ministered in Judah in the early 5^th century B.C., roughly 100 years after the Babylonians had captured Jerusalem and carted thousands of Jews off into captivity (see the book of Daniel). At this time Jewish exiles were returning from Babylon to resettle in Judah with those who had not been deported. The Temple had been rebuilt to some degree but things were not as they were before. There is a sense of cynicism and disillusionment among God’s people. They have seen nearly a century of suffering and servitude under pagan rulers and have come to question God’s presence and promises.

The result is that their worship is reluctant and filled with apathy. They feel abandoned by God so their worship, or lack thereof, reflects their hardened hearts. Malachi continues God’s message for his people:

Malachi 1:6-8

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name.”

“But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’

“You place defiled food on my altar.

“But you ask, “How have we defiled you?”

“By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.

(v.12) “But you profane it by saying of the Lord’s table, “It is defiled,” and of its food, “It is contemptible.” And you say, “What a burden!” and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the Lord Almighty.

“When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the Lord. “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.”

Can you see what is happening?

Throughout the history of the Old Testament God had been quite clear about what he expected from his people in terms of sacrifices. When an animal was brought before the Lord God as a sacrifice it was to be without defect (Leviticus 22). In this manner God’s people were able to express their respect and worship because God’s holiness and glory required the best they could offer.

But the priests Malachi is referring to here had stooped to offering blind, crippled and diseased animals before the Lord. This not only was direct disobedience and disrespect but actually defiled the Temple of God because such animals were regarded as “unclean.”

Why would they do such a thing?

I think this might be called “passive aggressive” worship! I think both the priests and the people were frustrated and even angry with God. I think they looked at their circumstances and all they had been through and figured if that’s all God was going to do for them then all they would offer him would be the animals that were worth nothing.

While we don’t bring blind or diseased sheep to church with us, it is possible for us to carry such poisonous attitudes in our hearts. Sometimes when we experience pain or struggles - say, the loss of a job, the failure of a business, or even the tragic loss of a loved one - we can sink into a kind of spiritual disillusionment. We can feel that God has forgotten about us and even that he has abandoned us.

As a result, we can harbor a kind of bitterness that leaks into our worship. We might continue the external rituals of going to church or attending our Bible studies, but we withdraw our hearts from the process. 

During those times we must remember and trust God’s word: “I have loved you.” God’s love is constant and unchanging. His love is independent of our circumstances and even our behavior. He loves you completely, personally; he loves you beyond the events of your life and despite your failures. But to know this love requires trust.

Will you trust God’s love for you today?

Pastor Brian Coffey