What does Malachi 1:13 mean?
The first message from Malachi is directed at the priests, and focuses on their improper sacrifices. Recent verses have addressed the insulting attitude of Israel's spiritual leaders. This is so degrading to God that He would rather they simply stop offering sacrifices completely (Malachi 1:10). Verse 12 has stated that the priests' careless disrespect for God has "profaned" His name, meaning it has been degraded and insulted.This verse explains part of the flaw in the priests' mindset. Bringing the correct sacrifices is harder than offering whatever is laying around. Diligently following God is more challenging than laziness and selfishness. And yet, the priests choose not to honor God, since doing so is "weariness." Once again, this has application for our lives today. Sneering at God's will, or His honor, when it conflicts with our preferences is a dangerous mindset.
God's point here is the same as given in verse 10: improper offerings will not be accepted. This has been expanded to include not merely the physical sacrifice, but the attitude with which it has been brought. God will not honor actions that contradict His will, or His word. At the same time, He will not honor actions which come from impure motives or an arrogant heart. What we do and how we think are unavoidably intertwined.