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Malachi 1

World English Bible

WEB

1A revelation, Yahweh’s word to Israel by Malachi. 2“I have loved you,” says Yahweh. Yet you say, “How have you loved us?” “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” says Yahweh, “Yet I loved Jacob; 3but Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.” 4Whereas Edom says, “We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places,” Yahweh of Armies says, “They shall build, but I will throw down; and men will call them ‘The Wicked Land,’ even the people against whom Yahweh shows wrath forever.” 5Your eyes will see, and you will say, “Yahweh is great—even beyond the border of Israel!” 6“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says Yahweh of Armies to you priests who despise my name. “You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7You offer polluted bread on my altar. You say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ In that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table is contemptible.’ 8When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn’t that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?” says Yahweh of Armies. 9“Now, please entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?” says Yahweh of Armies. 10“Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you,” says Yahweh of Armies, “neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 11For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations,” says Yahweh of Armies. 12“But you profane it when you say, ‘Yahweh’s table is polluted, and its fruit, even its food, is contemptible.’ 13You say also, ‘Behold, what a weariness it is!’ And you have sniffed at it”, says Yahweh of Armies; “and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?” says Yahweh. 14“But the deceiver is cursed who has in his flock a male, and vows and sacrifices to the Lord a defective thing; for I am a great King,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and my name is awesome among the nations.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Malachi Chapter 1 serves as a powerful introduction to the final book of the Old Testament, where God addresses His people through the prophet Malachi. The chapter begins with a declaration of God's love for Israel, stating, 'I have loved you,' (Malachi 1:2) which prompts a questioning response from the people, 'How have you loved us?' This sets the stage for a profound exploration of Israel's unfaithfulness and God's unwavering commitment. The chapter highlights the contrast between Jacob, whom God loved, and Esau, whom He rejected, emphasizing God's sovereign choice and the consequences of disobedience. This reference to #Jacob and #Esau illustrates the depth of God's love and the seriousness of His covenant with Israel, reminding them of their unique status as His chosen people.

The chapter continues to address the priests, who have become complacent and disrespectful in their worship practices. God rebukes them for offering polluted sacrifices and blind animals, which reflects a lack of reverence and honor due to His name (Malachi 1:6-8). The Lord calls for a return to genuine worship, stating that He desires pure offerings and a heart that truly honors Him. The chapter concludes with a warning that God will be glorified among the nations, and those who do not honor Him will face judgment. This serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the importance of sincere worship, urging the people to reflect on their relationship with God and the seriousness of their covenant responsibilities.

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Referenced by

  1. Leviticus 22:20v8Leviticus 22:20 prohibits offering blemished sacrifices, a principle reiterated in Malachi 1:8, where God rebukes the people for offering defective animals, highlighting the importance of offering the best to God.
  2. Psalms 113:3v11Psalm 113:3 speaks of the name of the Lord being praised from the rising of the sun to its setting, which is echoed in Malachi 1:11 where it is prophesied that God's name will be great among the nations.
  3. Zephaniah 2:11v11Zephaniah 2:11 prophesies that nations will worship the Lord, which is also seen in Malachi 1:11 where God's name will be great among the nations.
  4. Romans 9:13v2Romans 9:13 quotes Malachi 1:2-3, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated,' to illustrate God's sovereign choice in election, emphasizing His freedom to choose whom He wills.

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