Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.
Malachi is bringing a prophesy about life of worship after the Temple and city of Jerusalem has been rebuilt. Although the people had returned from captivity because of their false worship and neglecting the worship of their true king, Yahweh, once again they are right back where they started. Nehemiah, Ezra, Haggai and Zechariah all had attempted to rebuild both the nation and the necessary artifacts for true worship. But, instead of bringing worship they brought:
Malachi 1:7-8 (ESV)
By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the LORD'S table may be despised. 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? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.
Verse ten is a devastating prophetic utterance. God is wishing that at least one of the priest would stand up and STOP the corrupt worship and shut the doors of the Temple. The implications of this thought is truly traumatic. If the doors are shut, yes, the nation can’t bring corrupt worship. But, if the doors are shut they also can’t bring true worship. This double-edged sword of truth shows the difficult they are in. The Temple was the avenue by which they would bring true worship to God to receive blessings from God. But, without it, they have no avenue. God would like someone to correct the problem. Someone to stand up and say “enough.” Malachi is that person. He is to deliver this message and stand in the gap to compel them to because true, heart-changed worshippers. The point of the book is to correct their hearts. God is always looking for our hearts and those who will stand tall in a slouching time for Him.
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