Welcome to the Bible study of the book of Malachi, Chapter 1.

Verse 1: “The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.”

In this verse, we are introduced to Malachi, the prophet who is speaking the Word of the LORD to Israel.

Verse 2: “I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,”

The LORD declares His infinite love for Israel, but the people question and doubt His love. The LORD reminds them of their special relationship with Him, as descendants of Jacob.

Verse 3: “And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.” – The LORD refers to His rejection of Esau and the destruction of his land as a consequence of his unfaithfulness.

Verse 4: “Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever.”

The Lord declares that although Edom may try to rebuild, He will continue to oppose them and they will be known as a people under GOD’S wrath.

Verse 5: “And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.”

The people will witness the LORD’S magnification and exaltation within the borders of Israel.

Verse 6: “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”

The LORD confronts the priests for dishonoring Him, and they question how they have done so.

Verse 7: “Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.”

The LORD accuses the priests of offering polluted sacrifices and treating His table with contempt, which they deny.

Verse 8: “And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.”

The LORD points out the priests’ unacceptable sacrifices and questions whether they would offer such blemished animals to their own governor.

Verse 9: “And now, I pray you, beseech GOD that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.”

The LORD calls for the priests to seek GOD’S favor, yet points out that their actions have hindered this.

Verse 10: “Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.”

The LORD expresses His displeasure with the priests’ actions and declares that He will not accept their offerings.

Verse 11: “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a pure offering: for My name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.”

The LORD foretells the spreading of His name among the Gentiles and the offering of pure incense in His name.

Verse 12: “But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.”

The LORD accuses the priests of profaning His name by declaring His table and offerings as polluted and contemptible.

Verse 13: “Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.”

The LORD rebukes the priests for their lack of reverence and offering unacceptable sacrifices.

Verse 14: “But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and My name is dreadful among the heathen.”

The LORD pronounces a curse on those who deceive by offering corrupt sacrifices and emphasizes His greatness as King and the dreadfulness of His name among the nations.

In “Malachi 1:1-14”, the prophet addresses the people of Israel on behalf of GOD, expressing His love for them. However, he points out their lack of reverence for GOD and their half hearted worship. He confronts the priests for offering defiled sacrifices and shows how their negligence has consequences. He emphasizes that GOD is deserving of honor and respect and calls on the people to repent and offer true, heartfelt worship. This passage serves as a strong rebuke to the Israelites for their lack of devotion and a call to return to genuine honorable worship of GOD.

Let us Pray:

Dear LORD, almighty HEAVENLY FATHER, we come before You in prayer, as we reflect on the words of Malachi 1:1-14. We acknowledge that You are the great and mighty LORD of LORDS, KING OF KINGS, the ruler of all creation. We recognize that You deserve our utmost honor and praise.
We ask for Your forgiveness, dear LORD, almighty HEAVENLY FATHER, for the times when we have not given You the honor and reverence you truly deserve. We confess that at times our worship and offerings have been done halfheartedly, without true appreciation for your greatness. Help us, dear LORD, almighty HEAVENLY FATHER, to approach You with sincere and genuine hearts. May our worship be pleasing to You, and may our offerings be given with gratitude and love. Give us the wisdom and understanding to discern what is pleasing to You, and help us to always strive to honor You in all that we do.
We pray for a humble and contrite spirit, that we may always approach You with the respect and awe that you deserve. Help us to remember that you are the LORD of all, and may our lives reflect our reverence for You in all that we say and do.
We thank You dear LORD almighty HEAVENLY FATHER, for your patience and infinite love towards us, and we ask for Your continual guidance as we seek to honor and worship You in all aspects of our lives. Thank you dear LORD, almighty HEAVENLY FATHER. We pray this throughout the mighty, glorious, fulfilling name, of JESUS CHRIST. Amen!

Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings to You, through JESUS CHRIST, our LORD, SAVIOUR and REDEEMER!