Topical Bible: Offerings: The Jews often: Gave the Worst They had As

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In the religious practices of ancient Israel, offerings played a central role in the worship and covenant relationship between the Israelites and Yahweh. The Law of Moses, as detailed in the Pentateuch, prescribed various types of offerings, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. These offerings were intended to express devotion, thanksgiving, atonement, and reconciliation with God.

Biblical Mandate for Offerings

The Israelites were commanded to bring offerings from the best of their flocks and produce. Leviticus 22:21 states, "When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or flock, it must be without blemish to be acceptable; there must be no defect in it." This requirement underscored the principle that offerings to God should reflect the worshiper's reverence and gratitude.

Deviation from the Ideal

Despite the clear instructions, the Israelites often fell short of this standard. The prophet Malachi addressed this issue directly, condemning the practice of offering inferior sacrifices. Malachi 1:8 says, "When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?" This passage highlights the people's tendency to give less than their best, treating their offerings as mere formalities rather than sincere acts of worship.

Consequences of Inferior Offerings

The offering of substandard sacrifices was not merely a breach of ritual law but a reflection of the people's spiritual state. It indicated a lack of genuine devotion and respect for God. The prophet Isaiah also rebuked the Israelites for their insincere worship, stating in Isaiah 1:13 , "Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly."

Theological Implications

The practice of offering the worst rather than the best had significant theological implications. It demonstrated a failure to recognize God's holiness and the seriousness of sin. The sacrificial system was designed to point to the need for atonement and the ultimate sacrifice that would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:1 explains, "The law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship."

Lessons for Contemporary Believers

The issue of offering the worst instead of the best serves as a cautionary tale for believers today. It challenges individuals to examine their own worship and offerings to God, whether in terms of time, resources, or devotion. The call to offer one's best is a timeless principle that underscores the importance of sincerity and reverence in the worship of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Malachi 1:8,13
And if you offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now to your governor; will he be pleased with you, or accept your person? said the LORD of hosts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ's Plea for Ignorant Sinners
... sins of ignorance, and for these there were special offerings. ... our Saviour's sufferings;
but we cannot read it too often. ... THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS, AND OF ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/christs plea for ignorant sinners.htm

The Conversion of the Jailor of Philippi.
... leaders, who frequently appeared among the Jews, and excited ... among the Gentiles,
they must often feel a ... I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves of ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xviii the conversion of.htm

The Desire of all Nations
... to be brought in as voluntary offerings to this ... friends worst, and its worst enemies
often receive the ... and do as the mere ritualistic and Pharisaic Jews had. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/the desire of all nations.htm

The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ...
... smoked the daily and festive burnt-offerings, brought by ... and, amid the varying and
often incorrect renderings ... new circumstances in which the Jews were placed on ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the jewish world.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... I saw her often lying weeping with her face to the ... The Jews used these leaves specially
for the Feast of ... on his way to the Temple with his offerings; she would ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Cyrus, the Servant Of-The Lord {4}
... to be worshipped only with prayers, with offerings of the ... words so grand that they
have been often enough applied ... of Babylon and its empire the Jews were freed ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/cyrus the servant of-the lord.htm

The Servant of the Lord.
... to be worshipped only with prayers, with offerings of the ... words so grand that they
have been often enough applied ... of Babylon and its empire the Jews were freed ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture iv the servant of.htm

On the Attributes and Marks of the Church
... must depend entirely upon the charitable offerings of the ... lands; because when rich
Catholics died they often left to ... gathered the taxes from the Jews for the ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 12 on the attributes.htm

Another Royal Procession
... is!" They have robbed God in tithes and in offerings. ... his entrance; and even thus
God moves often on bright ... rough hand upon the King of the Jews, neither did ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/another royal procession.htm

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as ...
... Your tongues are so often employed in God's dishonour ... the cause of God's rejecting
the Jews' righteousness, even ... You bring offerings and incense, and think that ...
/.../the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi all our righteousnesses.htm