The word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), so it has something to say to each generation. It teaches, reproves, trains, and corrects so we can be equipped in every good work, for everyday living (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Each week this section will offer something different from God’s word about living as a New Testament Christian.
ANYTHING WILL DO
“’But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?’ says the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 1:8).
God certainly took seriously His charge on what was to be offered to Him as a sacrifice. “But if it has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God” (Deut. 15:21). God expected the best, as it reflected the worshipper’s attitude toward Him, the God who is holy and majestic. It should go without saying that God, who offers nothing but His best, should receive nothing but the best. The people in Malachi’s day, however, had developed a more utilitarian point of view. Since these animals were not worth keeping in the flock, offer them to God. They’re only going to be offered as a sacrifice anyway. Offer them to God and keep the best for breeding and for market.
That this is a heart problem is seen in the prophet’s question about offering such to the provincial governor. This most likely wasn’t Nehemiah, but probably a Persian official. Would he accept such as payment for taxes? Not likely. Despite their generally favorable attitude towards the exiles, the Persians wouldn’t tolerate any “cutting corners” by their subjects, because of the lack of respect that accompanied it. If, then, such animals wouldn’t be offered to a human official, why would they offer them to the Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth? It was a matter of reverence, or a lack of it, a defective attitude about the nature of God. As Malachi would go on to say, such a person acts as a “swindler” to God, and as God says of Himself, “I am a great King and My name is feared among the nations” (Mal. 1:14).
God hasn’t changed with time; He is still a great King and should be respected as such, especially by His people, though who call Him their God. The Hebrew writer tells us we should offer God “an acceptable service with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29). Do we rob God today? Do we offer less than our best? Do we want the finest for ourselves, but take an “anything will do” attitude about what we offer God? Of course this applies to what we offer financially, but certainly it goes beyond that as well. Do we offer Him the best of our time? Do we devote the best of our service? Do we give Him our all, or just enough to get by on? All of this reflects our attitude about Him as God.
Not only this, but what about how we respond while we serve? We can come to worship, but do we devote our thoughts and attention to what it should be while in the assembly? Do we let our thoughts drift, or do we focus on what we offer as worship to God? Worship is to be in spirit and truth (John 4:24), and the spirit from which we offer our acts of worship is important. The words of the writer of Proverbs should apply to us as children of God; “Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways” (Prov. 23:26). It’s all about who we treasure in our hearts, God or ourselves.
God offers us nothing but His best, for life today, and in Christ, life eternal. Do physical things mean more to us than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? What do we give of ourselves to Him? The decisions we will make about life throughout this week reflect not just on us, but on our attitude about God. Will anything do, or do you consciously seek to give Him your best, to give Him yourself? “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service” (Rom. 12:1).
