God loves Israel
1This is a message [1] the LORD gave to Malachi [2] to deliver to Israel.2The LORD says this:
I have loved you for a long time. But you don’t believe it. You say, “Prove it. Show us how you’ve loved us?” Well, it’s clear enough that I loved your ancestor, Jacob. [3] But remember his brother, Esau? 3I didn’t choose to bless Esau that way. Instead, I gave him a wasteland of ruins [4] to live in. And he had desert jackals to pass on to his children as an inheritance. 4People in Edom might think they can rebuild their cities. If they rebuild them, I’ll tear them back down. Eventually, they’ll get a reputation as an evil nation that got on the wrong side the LORD. [5]
5You’re going to live to see it. Then you’ll say, “The LORD isn’t just the God of Israel. Wherever God goes, his great power goes with him.” 6The LORD of everyone [6] says:
A son honors his father. A slave respects his master. I’m your father and your master. So, where’s the respect? Where’s the honor? Even you priests act like I disgust you.
You might ask for examples of how you insult me. I’ll give you a few. 7The sacrificial offerings you bring are discards. And that stinks.
You’ll ask, “What’s wrong with the sacrifices you bring me?” Well, let’s start with your refusal to treat the altar as sacred.
Israel kills blind animals for God’s altar
8People, you bring me blind [7] animals. That’s your sacrifice, your gift to me. Blind animals. And crippled critters. Diseased, as well. Come on now, you don’t see that as wrong? Try giving animals like that to your governor. Would he be happy with you? Would he say, “Thank you very much for all these sick animals, I gratefully accept them?” That’s the question the LORD of everyone wants you to think about.9Go ahead, folks, and ask God to show you some kindness. What kindness would you deserve for the broken animals you bring? The LORD of everyone wants to know.
10The LORD of everyone says, “I wish someone would lock priests out of the Temple. Lock the doors. That would stop them from lighting fires on my altar to burn their useless sacrifices. I’m not happy with you people. And, I won’t accept any of your damaged goods on my altar. 11People will honor me all over the world, from the sunrise to the sunset. People from nations far away will bring me sacred and respectful offerings. And they’ll bring fragrant incense to burn at the Temple.
Israel burns garbage on God’s altar
12You people, on the other hand, throw garbage on my sacred table, the altar. You pollute it with your defective sacrifices. 13And you dishonor me when you say to yourself these sacrifices are good enough for the table of God. When you bring me diseased animals, should I reward you by accepting them? That’s what the LORD wants to know.14If you cheat me, there’s going to be trouble in your life. If you have a healthy male in your flock and you promise it to me but bring an unhealthy animal instead, you’re in big trouble. The LORD of everyone says this about himself: I am a powerful king. People all over the world will respect me.
