v6: If then I am the Father, where is My honour: The problem: not only were the people disagreeable, but they also did not want to give honour to G-d – neither in their words nor in their actions.
· Master: L-rd. This word is written in the plural. This means the abundant master – the master over everything.
· Reverence: Respect. Fear.
· Priests: In this prophecy of Malachi there is an emphasis on the priests. The priests, who were supposed to be the servants of G-d and who carried out His will, were no better than the people. They were individuals who participated in the same evil thinking that the people had in not wanting to honour, respect or serve G-d.
· Despise My Name: They have contempt for the name of G-d.
· Name: Name is synonymous with character. The priests gave no value or respect to the character of G-d.
v7: Defiled food (literally ‘bread’): The bread was old, mouldy and not fit to be eaten. These priests were giving G-d garbage – things they no longer had any use for. They would not want to eat this bread, so they were not treating G-d in the way that they would have wanted to be treated. This showed that they had no respect for G-d. This is why a burden of the L-rd was being placed upon them.
· You say…the table of the L-rd is contemptible: G-d is quoting back to the people what they, in defiance, say. Their behaviour and thoughts showed contempt. They despised making sacrifices to G-d or giving to G-d what He wanted to receive. Biblically there is a relationship between giving and worship. We need to give to G-d what He has required, not what we want to give Him.
· Table: Probably a reference to the altar.
v8: Offer the blind: Although it was the intention of the people to do this, the priests allowed it to happen.
· Evil: When we do not do what G-d wants us to do, when we do not agree with G-d, then we are doing evil. Evilness will bring the judgment of G-d upon people. An example of this, that we can learn from, is Esau. Esau had contempt for his birth right. Esau wasn’t interested in serving G-d. He wasn’t interested in G-d’s program or covenant or what G-d was interested in. Because of this, Esau is an eternal recipient of the wrath of G-d.
· (Would you) offer it …to your governor: The people would never give a gift of a blind, lame or sick animal to their political or secular leader.
· Would he accept you favourably: Would he look kindly upon a maimed or inferior gift? If this man, a secular leader, would not look kindly upon this ‘gift’ how much less so would the holy, righteous L-rd of hosts not look kindly on it? The people had no respect, sensitivity, or thoughts about what was (is) pleasing to G-d. We are not going to experience good things from G-d in our lives (His blessings or being recipients of His promises) until we are able to think about what is pleasing to Him, what He requires of us.
· L-rd of hosts: In this passage, G-d is revealing Himself as the L-rd of hosts. The word ‘hosts’ (armies) is written in the plural which means it is referring to a mighty and abundant army. G-d is revealing Himself as One who has strength, power, and authority. Until we have the right perspective of G-d we’re not going to be individuals that are able to respond to Him properly. A proper response to G-d begins with knowing G-d. When we know G-d correctly then we can submit properly to Him and recognize His authority over our lives.