Leviticus 27 sets the "rules" for making a special vow to God. These instructions were not for required rites but for those extra, voluntary ones. Why would God give instructions regarding something that was voluntary? It was suggested in a recent sermon that He anticipated that people may, from time to time, be wanting to express an extra measure of gratitude or love for God. Isn't that a happy thought? How wonderful it would be for God's children to acknowledge Him above and beyond the requirement.

Well, yesterday we heard a sermon on Malachi. It is a sad and depressing look at God's people roughly 1000 years after the law was given in Leviticus. God's people were far from desiring to show an extra measure of gratitude and love toward God. They were giving to God less than He required and shocked when He expressed His displeasure. He rhetorically asked, "But now will you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly? ...Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you...nor will I accept an offering from you." He also says that they found appropriate sacrifices tiresome, choosing the easier, less costly route.

I have been thinking about these things. Are we, nearly 2000 years after Christ drew up our adoption papers, like the ungrateful people of which Malachi wrote? Is my worship - my relationship with God - stale? Or is it fresh and as new as HIS mercies are EVERY morning? Do I ever find myself overflowing with love and thankfulness to God - enough to give Him "extra" like He anticipated in Leviticus?