In chapter 1 of the book of Malachi, the Lord speaks through this prophet to the people of Israel saying that he has clearly loved them, but that they do not honor him due to their faults, the people were doing things as they wanted and not as God wanted. That is why the Lord reminds them of the love He has for them.
This opening declaration of love is very important, because before God rebukes His people, He first establishes that His correction comes from love and not from rejection. The people of Israel questioned God’s love by their actions, yet the Lord made it clear that His covenant faithfulness had never failed. The problem was not God’s lack of love, but the people’s lack of reverence and obedience.
This entire chapter speaks to the people as well as a rebuke to the priests because the Lord speaks clearly to them, and verse 6 says:
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Malachi 1:6
The priests had a great responsibility before God, because they were the ones who guided the people in worship, sacrifice, and obedience. However, instead of honoring the Lord, they treated His name lightly. Their service became routine, careless, and empty of reverence. When worship loses its seriousness, it stops being true worship and becomes mere tradition.
It was clear that the priests themselves were not making the sacrifice that the Lord deserved. That is why the Lord demanded a pure sacrifice before Him.
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.
Malachi 1:14
In those days, the law required offerings without blemish, because the sacrifice symbolized honor, gratitude, and obedience to God. By offering what was blind, sick, or damaged, the people were revealing the true condition of their hearts. They were giving God what cost them nothing, while keeping the best for themselves.
The Lord tells the people that having what is good and what to sacrifice for Him, then they sacrificed what was bad, what was damaged. God was not pleased at all with this evil sacrifice. The people thought they were cheating God by doing this, but they forgot that God knows everything, even our thoughts.
This warning remains relevant today. Although believers are no longer required to offer animal sacrifices, God still examines the quality of what we offer Him: our time, our obedience, our service, and our devotion. When we give God leftovers instead of our best, we fall into the same error as the priests of Malachi’s time.
God is not impressed by external appearances or religious activity that lacks sincerity. He desires a heart that honors Him, fears Him, and serves Him with integrity. True worship flows from gratitude, humility, and a sincere desire to please the Lord in every area of life.
In the same way, let us do things with excellence for God, and even for others, because he who deceives, deceives himself because God cannot be mocked. Everything you sow, that you will reap.
When we understand that God is a great King, worthy of honor and reverence, our attitude toward Him changes. Serving God with excellence is not about perfection, but about sincerity, faithfulness, and love. Let us examine our hearts and offer God the best of who we are, remembering that He deserves honor not only with our words, but with our lives.