Friday; March 21
When the Old Testament prophet, Malachi, was recording God’s message to the people of Israel, he pointed out that God told them He wasn’t pleased with their worship. The Lord was dissatisfied with what the people were passing off as “sacrifices”. They were presenting the lame, sick, blemished and stolen animals to their spiritual Father and religious Master! While this was bad enough, we get the impression that the people were upset with God’s disdain for their giving less than the best. The problem is summed up in the Lord’s rebuke, “You also say, ‘My, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the Lord of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?” says the Lord.” (Malachi 1:13). The Israelites seemed to whine about how difficult it is – almost saying, “We are doing the best we can!” … but is that true? At one point in the discussion, God wishes that someone would s...