Nagelsbach said in Herzog’s Cyclopedia, “Malachi is like a late evening, which brings a long day to a close…”  The book of Malachi is the close of God’s ancient revelation to His people, ceasing divine communication for about 400 years.

The book of Malachi was probably written around 445-432 B.C., approximately 100 years after the first contingent of exiles returned from captivity.  One might think that captivity would have helped the Israelites develop a more respectful attitude toward God, but such was not the case.  The spiritual and moral condition of the people became so shameful that it moved God to ask the question, “Where is my honor?”  (Malachi 1:6).  Sons honoring their fathers was an ingrained principle among the Jews (Exodus 20:12), yet they failed to give their heavenly Father honor.

One way Israel dishonored God was by putting away their wives and marrying foreign women (Malachi 2:10-17).  This practice was obviously in opposition to Gods’ will (Exodus 34:16; 1 Kings 11:2).  Sadly, God’s people today have made the same mistake.  Divorce has run rampant in the world for quite some time, but it affects the church as well.  Let us not forget that fornication is the only scriptural grounds for divorce (Matthew 19:9).  When one ignores God’s will by putting away his spouse unscripturally, and then compound the sin by entering into an adulterous relationship, God is dishonored.

Another sign of Israel’s lack of honor was their robbing of God by refusing to give God tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8).  Giving tithes was certainly reasonable, for God is the owner of all the earth.  Moses said, “Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord our God, also the earth with all that is in it” (Deuteronomy 10:14).  It can be said that when we give to God, we are merely giving back to Him that which He allowed us to borrow.  While we are no longer commanded to tithe, we still must give to God according to how we have prospered.  The Israelites dishonored God by not giving, and we do too when we refuse to give to further the cause of Christ (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

Perhaps, more than anything else, Israel’s lack of honor, and indifferent attitude toward God, could be seen in their feeble attempts to worship Him with insufficient sacrifices.  God expected all sacrifices to be without blemish (Leviticus 1:1-10; 22:17ff).  He would not accept sacrifices with any serious defects (Deuteronomy 15:21); yet, that was the kind of sacrifices Israel attempted to give Him.  They showed no reverence for God or His altar.  They sacrificed that which they would not even give to their governor (1:8-9).  There are many practical lessons to be learned here about worshipping God.

First, we must give God our best.  Remember, God gave His best to us.  Why should He accept less from us?  When we give our best to our employers at work, our instructors at school, and our families at home, but refuse to give our best to God, aren’t we as guilty as God’s people of old in not honoring Him?

Second, serving God is always more than action.  While Israel was involved in acts of worship, their hearts were far from God.  Worship always involves having the proper heart.  This the Israelites did not have, and their indifference finally surfaced when inappropriate sacrifices were offered.  Whenever we serve God with improper hearts, it is only a matter of time before our practices become corrupt.  Whether we are worshipping God, or serving Him in some other capacity, our hearts must be in the right place.  Jesus declared that we must worship God in spirit, as well as in truth (John 4:24).

Third, worship must be according to truth.  Cain discovered this when his offering was rejected by God (Genesis 4:1-5).  Cain’s offering did not meet God’s requirements.  What God demanded of Cain on this occasion does not matter to us.  What does matter is that God demanded something, and He always does when being worshipped.  Our job is to meet those demands.

When we neglect to give our all in worshipping and serving God, or we fail to do so in spirit and in truth, we do not honor Him, and the question God asked His people in Malachi 1:16 would apply to us as well: “Where is my honor?”