“When you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present a lame or sick animal, is it not wrong? Bring it to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the Lord of Hosts. “And now ask for God’s favor. Will He be gracious to us? Since this has come from your hands, will He show any of you favor?” asks the Lord of Hosts. Malachi 1:8-9 HCSB
I recently hired a young man to weed-eat and trim my yard. He came promptly and finished in record time. It was a satisfactory job, but not the best job. He missed several areas and in some places his work was not neatly done. Perhaps I was expecting too much of a teenage boy, but the fact is that he did the job he was hired to do quickly and did the minimal amount required to get the job done.
The Israelites were approaching their worship and sacrifice to God in the same way. They only did what was the minimal requirement and at times did not even do the minimal. They did not seem to care what they offered as a sacrifice or how they offered it. When they brought a blind, lame, or sick animal as a sacrifice, they were not really sacrificing anything. They were probably going to have to get rid of the animal anyway. God desires our best, not our leftovers. When we give our best we are showing our love and respect for God.
Challenge: Too many times we give a token nod to God and expect to find favor with Him and to receive His abundant blessings. If you desire to find favor with God you must seek Him, follow His will, and give your best to Him. Are you giving your best or are you doing just enough to get by? Pray that you will find favor with Him.