Honor for the Father

Today’s passage is also written in a dialogical format. First, the word of the Lord is spoken: “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of armies to you, the priests who despise My name!” (v 6a). (1) The problem lay especially with the priests, who were the spiritual leaders. (2) Israel had been called “God’s son” (ref. Ex. 4:22; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; Jer. 31:9; Hos. 11:1). Israel was also “the servant of the Lord” (ref. Isa. 41:8). If this was true, then it was only natural for Israel to honor the One who was their Father and to fear the One who was their Master. Yet instead, they were despising the name of God. (3) The priests insisted, “How have we despised Your name?” (v 6b). They had become insensitive to their own hidden sins. One characteristic of sinners is that their sense of sin becomes numbed.

God’s rebuke

“You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’ In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is to be despised’” (v 7). (1) The priests were offering defiled bread upon the altar, yet they asked, “How have we defiled You?” (2) The word translated “bread” can also be translated as “food” or “meat.” It refers to the animal sacrifices that were offered upon the altar. (3) The word “defiled” refers to ceremonial uncleanness, but the reason such sacrifices were being offered was that there was a problem in the hearts of the priests. (4) Even so, the priests asked, “How have we defiled You?” What a shameless attitude. (5) The Lord condemned such an attitude among the priests and said, “You are saying, ‘The table of the Lord is to be despised’” (v 7b). What is in the heart is ultimately revealed through one’s actions. Let us also ask the Holy Spirit to examine the condition of our hearts. Let us strive to live in a way that is pleasing to the One who is both our Father and our Master.