11/13/2007
Malachi 1:6 (HCSB)
6“A son honors ëhisû father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is ëyourû fear of Me?
Malachi 1:8 (HCSB)
8“When you present a blind ëanimalû for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present a lame or sick ëanimalû, is it not wrong? Bring it to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.
If you had the opportunity to meet the governor of your state, how would you dress? How would you act in his or her presence? If you had the chance to meet the President of the United States, how would you dress? Would you wear grungy clothes? Would you shave or just leave your face stubbly? How would you act? Would you slouch about or strut like a peacock?
I would guess that most of us would dress in our nicest clothing, groom ourselves conservatively, and conduct ourselves with as much dignity and respect as possible. Yet how do we dress and act when we approach God?
Malachi wrote this prophecy after the Israelites had returned from Babylonian exile and had rebuilt the Temple. The priesthood had been reinstated and sacrifices were being brought. But what were the people doing? They were bringing blind, lame, or sick animals for sacrifice. Is it really a sacrifice if you can do without it anyway?
Let me put a little more perspective on this. The sacrificial animal was to be the temporary representation of Christ. The animal was to be the choicest of the flock because God gave His best: we must also give our best out of simple respect. Yet the priests were allowing these inferior animals to be sacrificed. And clearly, God was displeased.
While yes, it is true, that God accepts us as we are, we still must honor Him for who He is. We must approach Him reverently and with dignity. If we do any less, then we are denying Him His rightful place in our lives.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2007 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
Terms of Usage: This devotional may be copied or forwarded for personal use without permission, but must include the author, publisher, web link, and copyright notice. Use in another published work must obtain permission first.