“Presenting defiled food….useless fire on My altar.”
The Lord God speaks to priests who stand careless in their sacrifice. Callous in their worship.
Disobedience reeks to high heaven.
And He’s calling them out.
Useless fire
“‘I wish one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle 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’” (Malachi 1:10).
Disobedient. Unfaithful. Deceptive priests.
Condoning and justifying evil.
While pleading innocence.
Wearies the Lord
“How have we wearied the Lord?” they ask. As though it couldn’t possibly be true.
The answer startles with its relevance today.
How…? “When you say, ‘Everyone who does what is evil is good in the Lord’s sight, and He is delighted with them, or else where is the God of justice?’” (Malachi 2:17).
Ever heard that one before? Entertained it in our own minds?
God will not be mocked.
Among the nations
Amid problematic priests and useless fire, God speaks the extraordinary.
And it must sound strange to their ears. Even though they live steeped in stories of Abraham and Moses. And repeat the words of Isaiah. Jeremiah. Other prophets.
“‘My name will be great among the nations, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name in every place because My name will be great among the nations,’ says the Lord of Armies” (Malachi 1:11).
His greatness among the nations. Prayer and worship in every place.
No useless fire
After the prophet Malachi? Four hundred years of silence.
No prophecy. Or “The Lord says….”
Until one day, when His true High Priest comes. Jesus Christ. And He offers no useless fire nor blemished sacrifice.
Jesus gives His own life. The perfect Lamb of God.
Taking away the sin of the world.
His Name
After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ commissions us, His followers, the priesthood of believers.
Calling His disciples to spread the greatness of His name.
To the ends of the earth.
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18b-20
What about you?
Have you ever taken lightly His call to obedience? Or the truth of His Word? How did the Lord open your eyes?
Related posts
Truth interrupts – Paths and prophets – Jesus knows roots – Famine – Deliberate – False – Gospel clarity – Standing on gravestones – Why?
4 replies on “Useless fire”
Thank you for this article. It was a specific word to my heart in keeping with other readings today identifying needed ‘course correction’ in my life. I will be sitting with this for a time as the Lord works His renewal in me. So appreciate your weekly offerings.
Thank you for sharing. I am thankful for the ways He brings things to our attention when we need it. What a faithful and compassionate God we serve.
Going through the motions? Yes, I have. Thankfully God is patient and persistent!
Amen. Yes, He is!