What does "will He show you favor?" reveal about God's response to insincere offerings? Setting the Scene Malachi 1:9: “But ask now for God’s favor—will He be gracious to us? Since this has come from your hands, will He show you any favor?” says the LORD of Hosts. The Heart Behind the Question • Israel’s priests were bringing blemished, second-rate animals to the altar. • God challenges them: “You want My favor, yet you dishonor Me. On what basis should I grant what you’re asking?” Key Observations from Malachi 1:9 • “Ask now for God’s favor”—they are still praying and expecting blessing. • “Since this has come from your hands”—God ties His response directly to the quality and sincerity of what they offer. • “Will He show you any favor?”—a rhetorical no; divine favor cannot be separated from reverence and obedience. How God Views Insincere Offerings • They are an insult, not an act of devotion (Malachi 1:7–8). • They expose a divided heart—seeking the benefits of covenant without honoring the Lord of the covenant. • They close the door to God’s gracious response. Cascading Consequences of Empty Worship • Loss of relational nearness (Isaiah 1:15). • Withheld blessings meant to flow from covenant faithfulness (Haggai 1:9–11). • Public dishonor of God’s name among the nations (Malachi 1:12-14). The Favor God Seeks • A broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:16-17). • Obedience over ritual (1 Samuel 15:22). • Love and justice mingled with humility (Micah 6:6-8). Practical Steps Toward Authentic Worship 1. Examine motives: Is this gift about God’s glory or personal convenience? 2. Offer the best, not the leftovers—time, resources, talents (Proverbs 3:9). 3. Align lifestyle with worship—integrity Monday through Saturday validates Sunday’s sacrifices (Amos 5:21-24). 4. Confess and repent quickly when worship becomes routine or self-focused (1 John 1:9). 5. Pursue faith that works through love; that is what pleases God (Hebrews 11:6; Galatians 5:6). Supporting Scriptures • Proverbs 15:8: “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” • Matthew 15:8: “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” • Hebrews 13:15-16: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise… and do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Bottom line: “Will He show you favor?” teaches that God weighs the heart behind every offering. When worship is sincere and costly, favor flows; when it is careless and hollow, favor is withheld. |
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