“A son honors his father,
And a servant his master.
If then I am the Father,
Where is My honor?
And if I am a Master,
Where is My reverence?
Says the LORD of hosts
To you priests who despise My name.
Yet you say, ‘In what way have we
despised Your name?’

You offer defiled food on My altar,
But say,
‘In what way have we defiled You?’
By saying,
‘The table of the LORD is contemptible.’
And when you offer the blind

      as a sacrifice,
Is it not evil?
And when you offer the lame and sick,
Is it not evil?
Offer it then to your governor!
Would he be pleased with you?
Would he accept you favorably?”
Says the LORD of hosts.
— Malachi 1:8

The Lord is saying here that the Israelites had dishonored Him with their offerings, by bringing “the blind” and “the lame and sick” as their sacrifices.

This portion has always convicted me, especially the statement,

“Offer it then to your governor!
Would he be pleased with you?”

I remember, as a new believer, hearing a brother, I think a radio preacher, sharing about this passage. He said it showed we must never offer to God what is second-best, but rather, always do the very best we can for Him, and only bring that to Him as our offering.

We should consider, would we do otherwise for our boss or manager at work, or our clients, or our teachers or professors, our “governors”? Why then would we dishonor God in such a way? No; we should always have the conviction that in whatever service we carry out for the Lord, nothing will be held back; we will instead give our very best effort for Him, so that He will indeed be pleased with whatever offering we bring.

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—  12 April 2025 —