Snuffed

Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. (Malachi 1:13 KJV)

The graphic is Pride, cropped from Pride, Arrogancy, Self Conceit, Worldly Glory, an illustration from Henry Altemus’ edition of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. I think it catches the turned up nose of those who found the Lord’s temple a weariness and snuffed at it.

What they found so wearying was the requirement given that offerings to the Lord should be without blemish. What they were bringing as offerings were the lame and the sick. The Lord asked a question – in fact, this methodology is found quite often in Malachi – God’s messenger. God makes a statement:

Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar;

then gives what hearers would ask in response,

and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee?

finally He explains.

In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 1:7-8 KJV)

Unfortunately, the Lord was speaking of the religious leaders, the priests who were to be the closest to Him, the teachers to others:

For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 2:7-8 KJV)

Their actions impacted others:

Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? (Malachi 2:17 KJV)

There’s that statement / question / explanation again. There’s also the concept of doing evil and calling it good that Isaiah faced earlier:

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20 KJV)

Why was all of this important? Because God is to be glorified:

And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel. (Malachi 1:5 KJV)

That glorification by Israel would be seen by and was for the whole world:

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
(Malachi 1:11 KJV)

Right now, everywhere the sun shines, God’s name is glorified by a gentile and His name is known by those who do not know or do not believe Him. He has not gone unheard.

We’ve each heard, we each have responded in some way. Do we glorify His name? Are our offerings without blemish? Can we accept our blemishes are covered by the love of God through Jesus, Christ?
Can I have an Amen?