Malachi 1:7-8 - Homiletics

Irreverence-its causes and signs.

Notice how in many places Malachi puts the thoughts of sinners into bold and bald words. He interprets their conduct in speech, that they may see the offensiveness of their thoughts and acts. Sins of the heart may sometimes be best exposed by translating them into unsubmissive or even impious prayers. They cannot endure the light when they are paraded in speech under the scrutiny of our fellow men. Still less can they tolerate the brightness that proceeds from the throne of grace, where God seeth in secret, that he may answer him "that setteth up his idols in his heart" "according to the multitude of his idols" ( Ezekiel 14:3 , Ezekiel 14:4 ). In this section the irreverence of the priests and people is exposed y the prophet calling things by their right names. Note—

I. SOME OF THE CAUSES OF IRREVERENCE .

1 . Inadequate views of the holiness of God and the sinfulness of men. We forget the names and titles of the God with whom we have to do—"Jehovah," "Lord of hosts," "Master," "Father," "a great King," "glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders," etc. We forget our own utter sinfulness and unworthiness as "dust and ashes," "the imagination of whose heart is evil from our youth," to have any intercourse with the Thrice-holy One (cf. Job 40:3-5 ). If it is hard to appreciate this, we may be helped by the contrast between what we see in the characters of Christ and of ourselves. Illust.: Peter ( Luke 5:8 ).

2 . Familiarity with sacred things. It may "breed contempt." The altar and its offerings were regarded as commonplace or even despicable objects. The worship of God, the table of the Lord, the most sacred acts and objects may be observed and resorted to without the slightest expectation of gaining good. They might be means of grace, but familiarity makes them contemptible.

3 . The indolence which shrinks from the effort needed to stir up ourselves to take hold of God ( Isaiah 64:7 ). Worship must be a spiritual service; it may be a "conflict" an ἀγών ( Colossians 2:1 ). Indolence may beget irreverence, and will, in its turn, be a sign of it.

II. SOME OF THE SIGNS OF IRREVERENCE . We may copy the evil example of the Jews in bringing blind, lame, sick, or polluted offerings.

1 . Formal and half-hearted services. "Blind is the sacrifice of the soul which is not illumined by the light of Christ. Lame is his sacrifice of prayer who comes with a double mind to entreat the Lord" (Jerome; Matthew 15:8 ).

2 . Superstitious services; e.g. blind obedience to a man claiming to be a priest, which may save the trouble of searching for God with all the heart. Unintelligent worship, perhaps in an unknown tongue, as though a lesson learned by rote would suffice for the Divine Teacher.

3 . Offering to God what we should not dare to offer to an earthly superior (verse 8). As though we would say, "God is not very particular." Yet he requires the very best service we can render. Such conduct is virtual dishonesty, for the intention to sacrifice to God at all implies the sacrificing of our best. Illust.: David ( 2 Samuel 24:24 ; cf. Matthew 22:37 ). Note how the revelation of God in Christ shows still more impressively his claims on our highest services. "The Lamb that was slain" is worthy to receive everything and the best of everything we can offer to him ( Revelation 5:12 ).

4 . Still grosser forms of irreverence are seen in the Corinthians feasting at the Eucharist, and thus despising the Church of the living God ( 1 Corinthians 11:22 ), and making the table of the Lord contemptible; or in men celebrating a sacred rite as a passport to some secular office; or in getting rid of a base coin at a collection, like "the deceiver" in verse 14.

Learn:

1 . The many subtle forms of a deep-seated sin of the heart ( Jeremiah 17:9 ).

2 . The need of radical remedies such as Divine power alone can employ ( Luke 6:43 45; Psalms 19:12-14 ).