Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Malachi Chapter 1
Metaphysically Interpreting Malachi 1:6-14
1:6A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 1:7Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar. And ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of Jehovah is contemptible. 1:8And when ye offer the blind for sacrifice, it is no evil! and when ye offer the lame and sick, it is no evil! Present it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee? or will he accept thy person? saith Jehovah of hosts.1:9And now, I pray you, entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he accept any of your persons? saith Jehovah of hosts. 1:10Oh that there were one among you that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle fire on mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the Gentiles, saith Jehovah of hosts. 1:12But ye profane it, in that ye say, The table of Jehovah is polluted, and the fruit thereof, even its food, is contemptible. 1:13Ye say also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith Jehovah of hosts; and ye have brought that which was taken by violence, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye bring the offering: should I accept this at your hand? saith Jehovah. 1:14But cursed be the deceiver, who hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King, saith Jehovah of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles.
May 16, 1948: Mal. 1:6-9
In an age of doubt and questioning how can service to God be wholehearted? Halfhearted service is service performed with an eye to self-interest. Wholehearted service springs from love, love for God, love for the one served, and love of service itself.
What are the normal attributes of wholehearted service? Loyalty and faithfulness. These are grounded in divine love, which is expressed in service.
Why do we think of God as our Father? Because we realize that we could not be thinking, reasoning, and loving creatures but for the fact that we have sprung from a source fitted to impart these traits to us.
If we are true to our spiritual nature, what proof do we have of it in our life? We give out to others of the love and wisdom in our heart, and our life increases in joy, peace, and plenty.
What does it mean to “entreat the favor of God”? It means that we undertake to measure up to the standard of Spirit. We do not change God, when we beg or entreat the favor of God, since God is absolute impartiality. He is “gracious unto us”, because in praying we enlarge our understanding and receptivity, and we render ourselves more able to lay hold of His blessings.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 11-06-2013
