MY NAME WILL BE GREAT AMONG THE NATIONS

Malachi 1:1-14

Key Verse 1:11

¹¹My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty.

Background to Malachi: The temple was completed under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Haggai, and Zechariah in 516 B.C. But almost 100 years had passed, and whatever reforms had been instituted were being ignored and spiritual apathy had set in. The people were disregarding the priests and the temple, they were not bringing their tithes and offerings and there was intermarriage with foreigners and divorce taking place. The people hadn’t become idol worshippers as was a problem in their ancestors but their love for God had grown cold. God sent this letter to help them refresh their relationship with Him. 

1. Read verses 1-5. (A) What problem did the LORD identify in his people from the beginning of this passage?

The people were doubting the love of God. Verse 2 is one of the most graceful verses in the OT; “‘I have loved you,’ says the LORD.” But the people’s reply is a tell-all to their spiritual condition: “How have you loved us?”

(B) Why is resolving this problem critical to having a good relationship with the LORD?

If we are not rooted in the love of God we misinterpret the events of life and cannot offer our hearts to Him. Confidence in God’s love must be more than theoretical—it should move our hearts deeply on a daily bases.

(C) Why did the people of Israel doubt God’s love and how had God already proven his love?

The Israelites had come back from the exile in Babylon and had reestablished the temple worship but they were still a puny nation that was non-influential and poor. Had they been restored to the glory of Solomon’s kingdom they may not have said “How have you loved us?” Their view of God’s love was anchored to their success in this World. They forgot that the HUGE grace of restoring their nation back from Babylon. They were a redeemed people brought out of Egypt and brought back from Babylon. Probably a good sum of time had passed and they forgot this HUGE blessing to live free. God had done so much for them but they forgot. 

(D) What happens to one’s relationship with God if they don’t hold-on to the grace they’ve received?

We therefore can’t be rooted in God’s love based on our current situation because many times our lives have pain and suffering. However if we look back we can see all the major and minor times God saved us and loved us—thus holding onto the love of God.

2. Read verses 6-9. Verse 6 reveals the LORD’s pain in a unique way. (A) How does a good father feel when his children, who know better, don’t honor him; how does a good master (boss) feel when his employees don’t respect him?

A father doesn’t ask too much of his children. He want to bless his children rather than be blessed by them. But the only major requirement of a father is honor—it’s in the ten commandments. This is just a fitting response by children to the love and sacrifice they receive. To not give this honor is to deny what is true and fitting. 

(B) How can God’s children keep from grieving their Father in Heaven?

We have to think about God’s feelings. Since he is invisible it is not apparent how God feels about something (although the Spirit will show those who are prayerful). So we need to put ourselves in his shoes and ask ourselves, “Am I honoring God?” It isn’t hard to understand how God feels when we just pray about it.

(C) Who was showing “contempt” for God’s name the most?

The priests—those who should have been honoring God the most. All believers are priests therefore the following warnings in Malachi apply to everyone who calls themselves Christian.

(D) How were they showing their “contempt”?

They were placing defiled food on God’s altar. They were supposed to make sure that only pure and unblemished sacrifices were put on God’s altar but they allowed diseased, crippled and sick animals to be brought to God.

(E) Since Jesus’ coming how do we offer our sacrifices to God (cf. Romans 12:1)?

Our lives are a sacrifice to God that can be blemished or pure, it is up to us.

(F) What benefit do we garner when we offer pure and acceptable sacrifices to God?

We can ask God to be gracious without a hint of doubt. God is honored when we give our best to him from our lives (time, heart, money, etc.) so what father would not be gracious to his son or daughter who honors him. Those who dishonor God with their lives shouldn’t expect much from God in terms of special favors but they can easily start over by repenting and offering their lives newly. God never refuses a contrite heart.

3. Read verses 10-14. (A) How does the LORD feel when his people keep bringing bad sacrifices to him?

He wants them to shut the door and stop bringing them. Wow.

(B) Why does God want his name to be “great among the nations”?

If God’s name is great among the nations he will 1) get the honor that is due Him (this keeps with the truth) and 2) people will definitely come to Him and be saved.

(C) What problem did the priests have in their heart while serving the LORD?

They had an attitude problem. They didn’t see the great joy in serving God and honoring God’s name. They didn’t see the chance to help the idolatrous nations see that the LORD is God.

(D) Why did God pronounce a strong curse on those who don’t bring their promised best?

They were cheating God and that is a very bad idea. God should be feared not cheated. 

(E) What happens when the World sees a child of God bringing their best sacrifices to God?

The World will respect and honor God and turn to Him.

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