“‘For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles, in every place incense shall be offered to My name and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 1:11, NKJV)

Is God a great King? Is He an honorable Father? Has He loved His people? With such questions Malachi challenged the people. God had done so much to bring them back from captivity and establish them in the land. But were they giving Him the honor and respect He deserved?

The people had lapsed into bringing blemished sacrifices to the altar. In essence, they were keeping the best for themselves and giving God their leftovers. In addition, they had lost their heart for serving the LORD. But in all these things they were dishonoring God among the nations.

God cares about His reputation. When believers give shoddy, half-hearted offerings, or claim to be Christians but act like the world, it is a reproach to Christ. God’s name is great! He is a wonderful Creator! He deserves the best we can give! This is true not only of our material offerings, but also of the service we give to Him. Whatever we do for the Lord, we should do it wholeheartedly with excellence to honor Him, so that His name is glorified!

Tragically, the priests had been the worst offenders. They accepted the low level of commitment by the worshipers and did nothing to correct it. God would have been more honored to shut the doors of the temple rather than to allow unworthy sacrifices. Moreover, they became lazy and considered service to the LORD a weariness. They stopped laboring in self-sacrifice, and complained that the hours were too long, the pay too little, and the work too hard.

Malachi called the people back to their first love to be a people who truly honored the LORD, so that from sunrise to sunset God’s name would be praised among the nations.

“Heavenly Father, you are a great King and a loving Father. Thank you for your grace to spare us from the punishment our deeds deserve. Thank you for providing us with so many blessings and abundant spiritual riches in Christ. Forgive us when we have put ourselves first rather than honoring you as you deserve. Help us to give you our best and do it with all our hearts, so that we may glorify your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”