What does Malachi 1:9 mean?
Malachi is criticizing the priests for offering improper sacrifices to God. In fact, what they are offering is explicitly forbidden by Old Testament Law. Even worse than that, these animals are flawed enough that even other people would reject them as an offering (Malachi 1:8). This is part of the first message of this prophecy, accusing Israel's priesthood of being disrespectful and indifferent towards God.Here, Malachi asks a rhetorical question. Of course, if one brings an insulting offering, they can't expect the favor of God. Part of Israel's spiritual problem at this point in history is bitterness. They have been defeated by foreign nations, and are suffering economic troubles. Rather than look at the entire context of their covenant with God, the Jewish people are blaming God for their mistakes. They have even begun to forget all God has done to preserve them from destruction (Malachi 1:2). This accusation is part of their hardship: they're "despising" God and His temple, but demanding that He favor them at the same time.