Malachi 1:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.

NIV: Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and I will accept no offering from your hands.

NASB: If only there were one among you who would shut the gates, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar for nothing! I am not pleased with you,' says the Lord of armies, 'nor will I accept an offering from your hand.

CSB: "I wish one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle a useless fire on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the Lord of Armies, "and I will accept no offering from your hands.

NLT: How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, 'and I will not accept your offerings.

KJV: Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

NKJV: “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.

The priests are well aware of the proper sacrifices (Leviticus 22:17–33). However, they are indifferent and offer animals which even another person would not accept (Malachi 1:8). This is insulting to God, who certainly deserves better.

This verse presents a shocking claim from God. In short, He would rather see no worship at all than to be worshipped in lazy and offensive ways. Once again, though, this is something we easily see paralleled in human experience. Being offered a "gift" which is thoughtless or inappropriate is actually more offensive than being given nothing at all. This is an important stance to consider as we examine our relationship to God. Worship is about more than just going through the right motions; the Bible often speaks against legalism (James 2:10). However, the attitude of apathy or disrespect leads to improper worship.

Bringing the wrong sacrifices wasn't Israel's root problem. It was only a symptom of a greater spiritual disease.

Malachi 1:6—2:9 is directed specifically at the priests of Israel. Despite having knowledge of the Old Testament Law, they are offering improper sacrifices to God. Instead of following the requirements for pure offerings, they are sacrificing animals so defective that a mere politician would not accept them. This shows their apathy and disrespect towards God. In response, God warns that He will be praised properly, even if it's by the Gentiles, even if it's in spite of His own chosen people. This includes a threat to humiliate the priesthood, if they don't lead the people as they have been instructed.

Chapter 1 begins the first of three main messages in the book of Malachi. This is addressed to the priests, who have failed to do their duty. They are allowing improper sacrifices, they are not teaching the people, and they are acting in legalism and apathy. If the priests do not change, they will be under the curse of God. God's love for Israel is demonstrated by the counter-example of Edom. Edom's complete destruction was foretold in the book of Obadiah. This shows that God can punish disobedience with annihilation, but has not done so for Israel.

Malachi's structure is complex, and chapter divisions are not helpful in seeing the pattern. There are three primary messages in this book, the first running from Malachi 1:2 through Malachi 2:9. Most of chapter one is the first message, directed to the priests of Israel. This is an important first step, since the priests were responsible for teaching the people. Failures by the priests would inevitably lead to failures by the people. The second and third messages are delivered more generally to the nation of Israel.

Malachi is the last message of prophecy given to Israel prior to 400 years of silence. Israel has rebuilt the temple, following the invasions of Babylon, but they are still under foreign oppression. Israel's spiritual condition, however, is dire. Hosea depicted Israel as prone to failure, but repentant. Later, Ezekiel exposed Israel's blatant disobedience. By the time of Malachi, Israel has passed into numbness and apathy. Unlike other Old Testament prophets, Malachi takes the form of a dialogue, where Israel responds to accusations as if unaware that they've occurred. The next prophetic voice from God would not come until the ministry of John the Baptist.