There are many times God is not pleased with his chosen nation of Israel in the Old Testament. Sometimes it’s because they are not doing the right thing. Sometimes it’s because they are doing the right things in the wrong way. Many of the prophets throughout the Old Testament speak harsh words from God because of the unacceptable sacrifices Israel is making to God. Malachi especially conveys a harsh message concerning the sacrifices of Israel calling them evil. “When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil?” (Malachi 1:8) And later in Malachi the Lord says Israel is robbing him, Israel is robbing God by not bringing a full tithe into the storehouse (Malachi 3:8ff). We look at passages like this often as a way of talking about money and tithing to the church, but it’s so much more than that; it’s so much deeper than actions.
What Israel is doing, is making God an afterthought. They are not making God a priority in their lives in any way. They are going about day to day, living life, and then thinking, “Oh, I’m supposed to offer a sacrifice to God. Let me go grab a lamb to give to him. Oh there’s one that won’t do me any good, I’ll offer that one.” They are giving the leftovers they don’t want themselves, the animals that are no good. How often are we guilty of doing the exact same thing??
We says, “well I’ll go to church today because it’s what I’m supposed to do”, or “well I’ll go to church today because I have nothing else better to do”. Or as we run out the door to church Sunday morning we grab some cash laying around or write a check quickly based on what we have instead of an actual tithe. But that is the smallest way we are guilty of robbing God. How often in our daily lives is God an afterthought? Israel offered sacrifices, not only for forgiveness of sins, but as an act of worship to God. Paul in Romans defines worship for us, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
What the Israel failed to do what really honor God by joyfully making his law and God himself a priority. For us today, God has asked us to strive for holiness. And in the same way Israel’s sacrifices was an act of worship, living holy lives is worship as well. Holiness is what we are to strive for in every aspect of our lives as much as possible. We offer the same bad sacrifices as Israel when we have sour attitudes about following God’s commands and when we look to our culture around us instead of God’s Word for morals or any standard of living.
Barna Group released a study saying 65% of Americans recommend cohabitation. It’s not about trying to understand why God gave us the command to remain pure before marriage. It’s about obedience. It’s about having a joyful attitude with our obedience and trusting that God really does know what is best for us. This is a simple example, but joyful holy living is what honors and pleases God and joyful holy living is what we should strive for as well.
Take some time for reflection and ask God to reveal ways you have dishonored him in your life. Ask God for strength to honor him in your life in your actions as well as your attitude.