OUR FATHER WHO IS WORTHY OF THE HIGHEST HONOR AND IS TO BE FEARED BY THE NATIONS

The book of Malachi chapter 1 verses 6 - 14 says this;

6 “A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’

7 “You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’

8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you?Would he accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts.

9 “But now entreat God’s favor, That He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, Will He accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts.

10 “Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” Says the Lord of hosts, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.

11 For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the Lord of hosts.

12 “But you profane it, In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’

13 You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” Says the Lord of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” Says the Lord.

14 “But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished—or I am a great King,” Says the Lord of hosts, “And My name is to be feared among the nations.

Malachi transcribes the list of devolutions that Israel had fallen to that resulted from their forgetting the preeminence of God in their life and so 

• Honor as a Father not offered 
• Reverence not given as a Lord
• Name despised by the priests
• Defiled offerings by the priests 
• Offerings presented to God that would not be accepted by men
• Preparations for ceremonies are not fully staffed
• Ceremonies are attended to with weariness and disdain
• Offerings for the altar are rotten, stolen, damaged, diseased

The Lord underscores that He is a Great King and is to be honored is a manner fitting for an awesome King and that we are not to be deceptive in evading the proper honor of God.

Amen.

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