Who Then Will offer willingly?

Historical Context of Malachi Haggai and Zechariah exhorted the people of God to rebuild the temple about 80 years prior to Malachi. The land is in a prolonged drought. The crops have failed and there is a lack of food. The land is overrun with pestilence.

Historical Context of Malachi Judah is under Persian rule. They were at war with neighboring countries. There was no Davidic king on the throne. There was spiritual destitution among the people.

What God Says to His People About Their Offerings God reaffirms his love for his people even in the midst of calamity and hardship. “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” Malachi 1:2

What God Says to His People About Their Offerings God condemns the defiled, polluted offerings of his people because they are offering him their leftovers. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Malachi 1:2

What God Says to His People About Their Offerings God holds the priests responsible for allowing defiled offerings to continue. O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you… Malachi 2:1

What God Says to His People About Their Offerings God promises to refine and purify the priests and in so doing to purify the offerings made to Him. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the {priests} and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 4 Then the offering…will be pleasing to the Lord … Malachi 3:3

What God Says to His People About Their Offerings God pleads with his people to stop robbing him, to stop holding back what already belongs to him. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 …for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Malachi 3:7-9

What God Says to His People About Their Offerings God commands the people to bring the ‘full’ tithe into the storehouse in order to do his kingdom work. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:10

What God Says to His People About Their Offerings God demands that the people ‘test’ his promise to bless and meet all of their needs when they give their full tithe and purified offerings. “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10

Who Then Will offer willingly?