Malachi 1

Malachi 1:1

I. THE LORD’S CHARGES AGAINST ISRAEL, THEIR REPLIES, AND HIS THREATENED JUDGMENTS (1:13:15) A. Ingratitude (1:1-5)In the first chapter, we find the Lord making certain charges against the people, and the people replying with strong denials. First, the LORD pleads His love for them, and they ask Him to prove it: “In what way have You loved us?” He does so by reminding them of His love for Jacob (from whom they were descended), His rejection of Esau, and His judgments on Esau’s descendants, the Edomites. The eyes of the people of Israel would see the desolation of Edom, and they would acknowledge the greatness of God.

Malachi 1:6

B. Sacrilege by the Priests (1:6-14)1:6 Next the Lord charges the priests with despising His name and failing to honor and reverence Him. They ask for evidence of their profane behavior. 1:7, 8 The Lord accuses them of bringing defiled offerings. They deny this, too, but He reminds them that they acted as if anything was good enough for the Lord. They brought blind and lame sacrifices, which they would not dare offer . . . to their governor. 1:9 The prophet urges them to repent of their sins so that God’s wrath might be averted. 1:10 The LORD of hosts wishes that someone would shut the doors of the temple so that the sacrifices might stop, because the sacrifices were utterly unacceptable to Him. 1:11 But the LORD will vindicate His name . . . among the Gentiles even though His own people will not honor Him. 1:12-14 The Jews despised the sacred things of the temple and were wearied of serving God. A curse would rest upon all who brought their blemished odds and ends to God for sacrifices. The reason is that the LORD of hosts is a great King, and His name is to be feared among the nations.