1. MALACHI SERIES 3: GOD’S FIRST CHARGE OF SIN (1:6-2:9) I. GOD’S LOVE FOR JACOB (1:1-5) II. GOD’S FIRST CHARGE OF SIN (1:6-2:9) A. THE SIN OF THE PRIESTS (1:6-14) 1. The Priests Present Defiled Offerings (vv. 6-8) 2. God Rejects Their Offerings (vv. 9-12)

2.  And as if to further confirm this, God declares in Mal 1:11.  “For” is a significant word here.  God contrasts the unbelief and virtual paganism of the postexilic Jewish community with the conversion and obedience of the Gentile nations that will one day worship the God of Israel. ~ Ezek 5:6-7

3.  At the same time, “My name will be great among the nations” is repeated twice, emphasizing the unexpected location of God’s recognition. ~ His reputation is known and will be made great from east to west. ~ A spiritual worship which will be in spirit and in truth (cf. Jn 4:23-24) shall be established and incense shall be offered to God’s name, which signifies prayer and praise, and it shall be a pure offering.

4. ~ As the Lord’s glory left its rightful place in the temple (Ezek 10:18-19), so true worship of the Lord departs from there in Malachi, ending up with the rest of the world instead of with the people for whom the temple had been given.  “My name will be great among the nations” is a theme that can be heard throughout the Old Testament which is affirmed in this book.

5. ~ God chose the Jews through whom He planned to save and bless the entire world. ~ Today God still wants to save and bless the world through all who believe in Him – Jews and Gentiles. ~ Christians are now His chosen people. ~ When Christ came, He established spiritual worship and now true worshippers worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. ~ When Christ came, He established spiritual worship and now true worshippers worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. (cf. Jn 4:23-24)

6. ~ And our greatest offering to the Lord is our life. ~ Are you available to God to be used in making His name honored by the nations? ~ This mission begins in our homes and in our neighborhoods, but it doesn’t stop there. ~ We must work and pray so that God’s name will be honored everywhere.

7.  Read Mal 1:12. ~ They did not literally say, “The table of the Lord is defiled” but their acts virtually said so.  Verses 11 and 12 combine to emphasize a painful irony: While foreigners magnify and revere God’s name, Israel’s own priests despise and profane it just as if they offered child sacrifices (Lev 18:21).

8. ~ The priests profane God’s name not only by action (v. 8) but also by attitude, attacking the integrity and ruining the holiness of the sacrificial system.