Malachi 1:6-8

Polluted sacrifices were rejected -- Malachi 1:6-8: Worship should be a time of genuine praise and thanksgiving to God. Israel sacrificed to God, not because of His need but because of their need. Psalms 50:12 says, "If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof." Sadly, the Jews did not take their worship seriously. They brought less than their best to God. They brought polluted bread and animals that were blind, lame or sick as their sacrifices. When they brought God these inferior gifts they were saying that they placed very little value on Him. The attitude of the Jews in worship showed both selfishness and indifference. Their so called worship was disrespectful to God. God said, "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." (Malachi 1:8) The priests were directly responsible for the people being able to despise the name of God in such a disgraceful way. The priest did this and yet said, "Wherein have we despised thy name?" (Malachi 1:6) The animal sacrifices had to do with atonement for sin and a less than perfect animal would not do. Even their governor would not accept their worthless sacrifices. The attitudes and actions of the people were contemptible to God.