A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am

a master, where is your fear of me? says the Lord of Armies to you priests, who despise my name. Yet

you ask, “How have we despised your name?” By presenting defiled food on my altar. (Malachi 1:6-7)

It’s very revealing to look at the titles and names by which God refers to Himself in this passage. Did you

catch them? He uses three different titles (Father, Master, Lord of Armies), but two of them (Father &

Lord of Armies) are given the most prominence in this text.

First, God refers to himself as “Father.” Now, I want you to pause for two seconds and think about ALL

THE DIFFERENT TITLES God could have led with in this passage. He could have opened with “King of

Kings,” or “Lord of Lords,” or “Alpha and Omega,” or “Creator of Heaven and Earth.” The list is endless

and all true! Yet, God chooses to refer to Himself FIRST as “Father.” Basically, God opens this challenging

section with this question: “Why aren’t you treating me like your Father?”

In healthy families, there is a natural love, affection and honor that is given to fathers. While that truth

was implicit in first century Jewish families, our culture has moved far away from the days of “Father

Knows Best” and “Andy Griffith.” Instead, our culture has increasingly degraded and dumbed down

fathers (consider TV sitcom fathers like Homer Simpson, Archie Bunker, Al Bundy, Rosanne’s Dan Conner

or the Family Guy’s Carl Winslow). Despite the cultural degradation, God grounds His complaint against

Israel in His divine Fatherhood.

As the “Ultimate Dad,” God the Father created Israel, provided for Israel, guided Israel, disciplined Israel,

redeemed Israel, protected Israel, loved and treasured Israel. In return, Israel withheld from God the

honor, love and respect that was rightfully due Him. “But if I am a father, where is my honor?” God had

commanded Israel to bring Him their best, but instead they brought scraps and leftovers. We give God

our best because He first created us, loved us, and redeemed us and now sustains, guides, and protects

us. Oh, the Father’s love for us!

Question: Is your first impression of God that of a “loving Father?” Could issues with your earthly father

be clouding your impression of God as “Father?”

Meditate on 2 Corinthians 6:16 & 18: “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people… and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters,” says

the Lord Almighty.

By Jimmy Carter

Jimmy serves as the Ministries Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church. He is married to Carrie, his treasured

wife of 24 years, and they have one beloved daughter named Christy Ann “C.A.” who is a Senior at LCA

and will attend UK and play golf for the Wildcats next Fall.