Malachi 1
(1) Intro
This book records the words the Existing One spoke to Israel through Malachi [which means “My messenger”].
(2) God Loved Israel
“I loved you,”
Says the Existing One.
But you ask,
“How have You loved us?”
The Existing One says,
“Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother? Yet I loved Jacob and hated Esau. I made Esau’s mountains desolate and destined his inheritance to go to the dragon in the wilderness.”
Esau’s descendants in Edom try to disagree, saying,
“We’ve been beaten down, but we will rebuild from the ruins.”
But, the Existing One tells them,
“You might rebuild, but I’ll just demolish it again. Everyone will call you ‘the corrupt region’ or ‘the people who the Existing One is always angry at.’”
When you see that happening, you’ll say,
“Look! The Existing One is being magnified outside of Israel’s borders!”
(6) Israel Offends God with Cheap Sacrifices
“‘Sons honor their fathers, and servants honor their superiors. I’m a father, but where’s my honor? And I’m a superior, but where’s my respect?’ As the Existing One of armies, that’s my question to you, oh priests who despise My reputation.
You ask, ‘But how have we despised Your reputation?’
I’ll tell you: you keep presenting defiled food to Me on My altar.
Then you ask, ‘But how have we defiled You?’
‘You defile Me when you despise the Existing One’s table. When you present blind animals to Me as sacrificial gifts, don’t you think that’s wrong? And when you present animals that are sick or handicapped, isn’t that messed up? Why don’t you offer those animals to your mayor? Would that make him pleased with you? Would that make him speak highly of you?’”
Says the Existing One of armies.
“Do you think you’ll win God’s favor like that? Will that make Him want to treat you graciously? When you give Him these kind of offerings, do you think He’ll pay attention to any of you?”
Says the Existing One of armies.
“Oh, if only one of you would just shut the doors so that no one would light meaningless fires on My altar! I take no delight in you!”
Says the Existing One of armies.
“And I won’t accept any of the gifts you offer Me. I’ll be famous all throughout the nations, from the place where the sun rises, to the place where it sets. All over, people will offer incense to My name and food gifts that are pure. My name will be famous throughout the wold’s countries.”
Says the Existing One of armies.
“But you are polluting My reputation when you say that My table is defiled and that it’s food should be despised. You even talk about how much work it is and snort at it!”
Says the Existing One of armies.
“You bring in items that you took by force and animals that are sick and handicapped. You bring those as gifts! Should I gladly accept those from you?
Says the Existing One.
“If there’s a swindler who promises to give Me one of his strong male animals, but then offers a defective animal to the Ruler, that person will be cursed. After all, I am a renowned king.”
Says the Existing One of armies.
“Countries all throughout the world fear My name.”