Comfortably Numb

Take note of what God said in Malachi 1:8: “But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?” The people of God did not offer animals according to God’s standard. They offered the least of their animals instead of the best. The Israelites offered God animals they would not have dared put before an earthly governor. They offered earthly rulers the best animals they had, but God would have to settle for second, or third, or fourth best. Even so, when the people of God offered second-rate offerings, they were so pleased with themselves that they entreated God to bless them for their faithfulness. God did not appreciate the hypocrisy of His people. His response is found in Malachi 1:10–12: “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from you. For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord of hosts. What did God mean? He lamented the apathy of the people. No one cared enough about the holiness of God to put a stop to the substandard acts of worship. God wanted someone to step up and shut the doors of the Temple. He desired that sacrifices stop rather than allow half-hearted, covenant breaking, fake worship to continue. If sacrifices of this nature would continue, their offerings would be fruitless. The Lord would neither accept the substandard offerings nor bless them. God preferred no ritual to the empty rituals the Israelites performed. Worship that does not honor God is worse than no worship at all. It would be better that the doors to the Temple were shut than to continue bringing unacceptable sacrifices. As Verhoff has said, “It is preferable to experience the agony of being far away from God than to deceive oneself by assuming that God will listen to the appeals of a hypocrite.”4 The people of God viewed worship as a burden. It is harsh and sad to say this about people who claimed to be His. But pay attention to God’s Word in Malachi 1:13, which says, “‘You also say, ‘My, how tiresome it is!’ and you disdainfully sniff at it,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?’” The people of God did not see worship as a joy and privilege but as hardship. The priests were bored with their duties. To sniff at it meant they looked at worship with contempt. God said that sort of worship would not bring a blessing, but a curse: “For I am a great King…and My name is to be feared among the nations!” The people were more concerned with foreign dignitaries than they were the one true God. Let’s reflect on ourselves for a few moments. How do you think God views your worship? Are you bringing your best to the Lord when you worship with the Church? Is God pleased with the offerings you bring? In effort to avoid the apathetic approach to worship Malachi’s audience used, I want to remind you we serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His name is to be exalted, revered, and feared! He is creator and Lord over all! He deserves your best. He called you to worship Him in Spirit and truth. When you go before Him, approach God with a heart set on honoring His name. We could take lessons from Isaiah. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne, high and exalted. Isaiah’s response was total reverence. He said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (v. 5). We could also look to the apostle John, who received the Revelation. He wrote in Revelation 1:17, “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.” John was in awe of the risen savior and surrendered all he was to Him. As you live, live with a heart set on God and honor His name in all you do. Worship God in sincerity of heart with all you have. Colossians 3:17 tells the follower of Christ, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Let our lives be lived for the glory of God. Give Him your best. When in the congregation, give God your best effort in song. Give God your full attention when you pray. Give God your best from the finances and resources He gives you. Honor Him with your best. When God is given the best, as He deserves, apathy flees. True worship of God and apathy cannot coexist. Give God your best.