Malachi 1:9
"But ask now for God's favor. Will He be gracious? Since this has come from your hands, will He show you favor?" asks the LORD of Hosts.
But ask now for God’s favor
The phrase "ask now" implies an urgency and immediacy in seeking divine intervention. The Hebrew root for "ask" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which conveys a sense of earnest petitioning. In the historical context of Malachi, the Israelites were experiencing spiritual complacency and needed to return to a posture of humility and dependence on God. The call to seek "God’s favor" is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where favor is not merely a blessing but a sign of divine approval and presence.

Will He be gracious to us?
The word "gracious" comes from the Hebrew "חָנַן" (chanan), which means to show favor or mercy. This reflects God's character as compassionate and willing to forgive. The rhetorical question posed here challenges the Israelites to consider their actions and the sincerity of their repentance. Historically, this period was marked by a lack of genuine worship, and the prophet Malachi is urging the people to reflect on whether their lives align with the expectations of a holy God who desires to be gracious.

Since this has come from your hands
The phrase "from your hands" indicates personal responsibility and accountability. In the context of Malachi, the priests and people were offering blemished sacrifices, which were unacceptable to God. The Hebrew word for "hands" is "יָד" (yad), symbolizing power, action, and responsibility. This highlights the importance of offering God our best, not just in sacrifices but in all aspects of life. The historical context underscores the need for integrity and wholehearted devotion in worship.

will He show you favor?”
The repetition of the concept of "favor" emphasizes its significance. The Hebrew root "רָצָה" (ratsah) for "show favor" suggests acceptance and delight. The question challenges the Israelites to consider whether their actions are pleasing to God. In a broader scriptural context, favor is often linked to obedience and faithfulness. The Israelites are being called to examine their hearts and actions to ensure they align with God's standards.

asks the LORD of Hosts
The title "LORD of Hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth) is a powerful designation of God as the commander of heavenly armies. It underscores His sovereignty, authority, and power. This title is used to remind the Israelites of God's majesty and the seriousness of their covenant obligations. Historically, it serves as a reminder that God is not only a personal deity but also the ruler of the universe, deserving of reverence and awe. The use of this title in Malachi reinforces the call to genuine worship and the acknowledgment of God's rightful place in the lives of His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Malachi
The prophet who delivered God's message to the Israelites. His name means "my messenger" in Hebrew, and he is the last of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament.

2. The LORD of Hosts
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies. It underscores His power and authority.

3. The Israelites
The audience of Malachi's prophecy, specifically the priests and people of Judah who had returned from exile and were struggling with spiritual apathy and corruption.

4. The Temple
The central place of worship in Jerusalem where sacrifices were offered. The condition of the temple worship was a significant concern in Malachi's message.

5. Sacrifices
The offerings brought to God, which were supposed to be pure and without blemish. The Israelites were offering defiled sacrifices, which was a central issue in Malachi's rebuke.
Teaching Points
Sincere Worship
God desires genuine worship from His people. Our offerings, whether time, resources, or talents, should be given with a sincere heart, not out of obligation or routine.

Self-Examination
Reflect on the quality of your spiritual offerings. Are you giving God your best, or are you offering what is convenient or leftover?

God's Grace and Favor
While God is gracious, His favor is not to be presumed upon. We must approach Him with reverence and humility, acknowledging our need for His mercy.

Repentance and Restoration
When we recognize our shortcomings in worship, we should seek God's forgiveness and strive to restore our relationship with Him through genuine repentance.

The Role of Leadership
Spiritual leaders are called to set an example in worship and devotion. They must lead with integrity and encourage their communities to honor God fully.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the context of Malachi 1:9 challenge us to evaluate the sincerity of our worship today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our offerings to God (time, talents, resources) are given with a pure heart?

3. How does understanding the original Hebrew context of "favor" and "gracious" deepen our appreciation for God's grace?

4. What parallels can we draw between the issues faced by the Israelites in Malachi's time and the challenges faced by the modern church?

5. How can spiritual leaders today apply the lessons from Malachi 1:9 to foster a community that honors God with genuine worship?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 22:20-22
This passage outlines the requirements for offerings to be without defect, highlighting the Israelites' failure in Malachi's time to adhere to these standards.

Isaiah 1:11-15
Similar to Malachi, Isaiah speaks against empty rituals and sacrifices, emphasizing that God desires genuine worship and obedience.

Hebrews 4:16
Encourages believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, contrasting the insincere approach of the Israelites in Malachi's time.
A Solemn ChargeW. Osborne Lilley.Malachi 1:9
Regarding the PersonR. Tuck Malachi 1:9
The Profession and the Practice of ReligionD. Thomas Malachi 1:6-9
People
Esau, Jacob, Malachi
Places
Edom, Jerusalem
Topics
Accept, Almighty, Appearances, Appease, Approval, Armies, Beseech, Entreat, Face, Favor, Favour, Gift, God's, Grace, Gracious, Hands, Hosts, Kindly, Mercy, Offering, Offerings, Persons, Please, Receive, Regard, Request, Says
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Malachi 1:9

     1255   face of God

Malachi 1:6-11

     8332   reputation

Malachi 1:6-13

     5800   blasphemy

Malachi 1:6-14

     5810   complacency
     5943   self-deception
     8783   neglect

Malachi 1:7-9

     7768   priests, OT function

Malachi 1:8-10

     6603   acceptance, divine

Library
Blemished Offerings
'Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of Hosts.'--MALACHI i. 8. A word of explanation may indicate my purpose in selecting this, I am afraid, unfamiliar text. The Prophet has been vehemently rebuking a characteristic mean practice of the priests, who were offering maimed and diseased animals in sacrifice. They were probably dishonest as well as mean, because the worshippers would bring sound beasts, and the priests, for their own profit,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Dialogue with God
'A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a Father, where is Mine honour? and if I be a master, where is My fear? saith the Lord of Hosts unto you, O priests, that despise My Name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy Name? 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar. And ye say, Wherein have we polluted Thee?'--MALACHI i. 6, 7. A charactistic of this latest of the prophets is the vivacious dialogue of which our text affords one example. God speaks and the people question
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
Rom. viii. 15.--"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father." All that know any thing of religion, must needs know and confess that there is no exercise either more suitable to him that professeth it, or more needful for him, than to give himself to the exercise of prayer. But that which is confessed by all, and as to the outward performance gone about by many, I fear is yet a mystery sealed up from us, as the true and living nature of it. There is much of it expressed here in few words, "whereby we cry, Abba,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Counter-Reformation
For more than thirty years the new religious movement continued to spread with alarming rapidity. Nation after nation either fell away from the centre of unity or wavered as to the attitude that should be adopted towards the conflicting claims of Rome, Wittenberg, and Geneva, till at last it seemed not unlikely that Catholicism was to be confined within the territorial boundaries of Italy, Spain, and Portugal. That the world was well prepared for such an outburst has been shown already,[1] but it
Rev. James MacCaffrey—History of the Catholic Church, Renaissance to French Revolution

Whether the Gifts are Set Down by Isaias in their Order of Dignity?
Objection 1: It would seem that the gifts are not set down by Isaias in their order of dignity. For the principal gift is, seemingly, that which, more than the others, God requires of man. Now God requires of man fear, more than the other gifts: for it is written (Dt. 10:12): "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but that thou fear the Lord thy God?" and (Malachi 1:6): "If . . . I be a master, where is My fear?" Therefore it seems that fear, which is mentioned last, is not
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether God Can be Feared?
Objection 1: It would seem that God cannot be feared. For the object of fear is a future evil, as stated above ([2457]FS, Q[41], AA[2],3). But God is free of all evil, since He is goodness itself. Therefore God cannot be feared. Objection 2: Further, fear is opposed to hope. Now we hope in God. Therefore we cannot fear Him at the same time. Objection 3: Further, as the Philosopher states (Rhet. ii, 5), "we fear those things whence evil comes to us." But evil comes to us, not from God, but from ourselves,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether a Man May Make Oblations of Whatever He Lawfully Possesses?
Objection 1: It would seem that a man may not make oblations of whatever he lawfully possesses. According to human law [*Dig. xii, v, de Condict. ob. turp. vel iniust. caus. 4] "the whore's is a shameful trade in what she does but not in what she takes," and consequently what she takes she possesses lawfully. Yet it is not lawful for her to make an oblation with her gains, according to Dt. 23:18, "Thou shalt not offer the hire of a strumpet . . . in the house of the Lord thy God." Therefore it is
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether God Reprobates any Man?
Objection 1: It seems that God reprobates no man. For nobody reprobates what he loves. But God loves every man, according to (Wis. 11:25): "Thou lovest all things that are, and Thou hatest none of the things Thou hast made." Therefore God reprobates no man. Objection 2: Further, if God reprobates any man, it would be necessary for reprobation to have the same relation to the reprobates as predestination has to the predestined. But predestination is the cause of the salvation of the predestined. Therefore
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the Lord's Supper.
1. The chief of all the abominations set up in opposition to the Lord's Supper is the Papal Mass. A description of it. 2. Its impiety is five-fold. 1. Its intolerable blasphemy in substituting priests to him the only Priest. Objections of the Papists answered. 3. Impiety of the Mass continued. 2. It overthrows the cross of Christ by setting up an altar. Objections answered. 4. Other objections answered. 5. Impiety of the Mass continued. 3. It banishes the remembrance of Christ's death. It crucifies
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

If any one Shall Teach that the House of God and the Assemblies Held Therein...
If any one shall teach that the house of God and the assemblies held therein are to be despised, let him be anathema. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon V. Whoso styles the house of God contemptible, let him be anathema. This canon is found in the Corpus Juris Canonici, Gratian's Decretum, Pars I., Dist. xxx., c. x. The commentators find nothing to say upon the canon, and in fact the despising of the worship of God's true church is and always has been so common a sin, that it hardly calls for comment;
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Excursus on the Word Prospherein .
(Dr. Adolph Harnack: Hist. of Dogma [Eng. Tr.] Vol. I. p. 209.) The idea of the whole transaction of the Supper as a sacrifice, is plainly found in the Didache, (c. 14), in Ignatius, and above all, in Justin (I. 65f.) But even Clement of Rome presupposes it, when (in cc. 40-44) he draws a parallel between bishops and deacons and the Priests and Levites of the Old Testament, describing as the chief function of the former (44.4) prospherein ta dora. This is not the place to enquire whether the first
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Reverence in Prayer
"Lord, teach us to pray."--Luke xi. 1. "Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee or accept thy person? saith the Lord of Hosts."--Mal. i. 8. IF we were summoned to dine, or to any other audience, with our sovereign, with what fear and trembling should we prepare ourselves for the ordeal! Our fear at the prospect before us would take away all our pride, and all our pleasure, in the great honour that had come to us. And how careful we should be to prepare ourselves, in every possible
Alexander Whyte—Lord Teach Us To Pray

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for Churches.
Text: Philippians 1, 3-11. 3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Whether those to whom Christ's Birth was Made Known were Suitably Chosen?
Objection 1: It would seem that those to whom Christ's birth was made known were not suitably chosen. For our Lord (Mat. 10:5) commanded His disciples, "Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles," so that He might be made known to the Jews before the Gentiles. Therefore it seems that much less should Christ's birth have been at once revealed to the Gentiles who "came from the east," as stated Mat. 2:1. Objection 2: Further, the revelation of Divine truth should be made especially to the friends of God,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Healing the Centurion's Servant.
(at Capernaum.) ^A Matt. VIII. 1, 5-13; ^C Luke VII. 1-10. ^c 1 After he had ended all his sayings in the ears of the people, ^a 1 And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. ^c he entered into Capernaum. [Jesus proceeded from the mountain to Capernaum, which was now his home, or headquarters. The multitudes which are now mentioned for the third time were not wearied by his sermon, and so continued to follow him. Their presence showed the popularity of Jesus, and also
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Letter xvi to Rainald, Abbot of Foigny
To Rainald, Abbot of Foigny Bernard declares to him how little he loves praise; that the yoke of Christ is light; that he declines the name of father, and is content with that of brother. 1. In the first place, do not wonder if titles of honour affright me, when I feel myself so unworthy of the honours themselves; and if it is fitting that you should give them to me, it is not expedient for me to accept them. For if you think that you ought to observe that saying, In honour preferring one another
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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