“‘When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?’ says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 1:8 NIV
Malachi was concerned about sin among God’s people. Particularly in complacency and hypocritical worship. Led by corrupt priests, the Israelites were sacrificing second grade animals, withholding tithes and offerings, marrying outside their faith, and divorcing their wives. As a result, God was withholding His blessings from them. Malachi’s message is a warning for all of God’s followers, not just the Israelites for that time, in being lukewarm, complacent Christians.
We are told in Revelation 3:15-16 that, “I (the Lord) know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot, I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
As we begin the last chapter and prophecy before reading the NT, I am reminded of the actual coming of Christ. The time is now to heed to Malachi’s message and warnings, and follow the Lord’s commands.
Lock Your Wings 
““Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Malachi 1:9 NLT
If we had a friend who asked a favour but that friend was always a taker, never took care of what was given to them, forgot to say thank you, or generally acted entitled and spoiled we would be reluctant to do them any favours. God is a jealous God demanding our full attention and is desires us to live according to His plan because it’s best for us. However, when we don’t follow His plan and there are consequences, we then cry out to God for relief. Why should He come to our rescue when we have purposefully been disobedient?
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