“‘Now implore
The favor of God!
Thus,
He may be gracious to us.
The fault is yours.
Will he show favor
to any of you?’
Says Yahweh of hosts.
‘Oh!
That someone among you
Would shut the temple doors!
Thus,
You would not kindle fire
Upon my altar in vain!
I have no pleasure in you!’
Says Yahweh of hosts.
‘I will not accept
An offering
From your hand.’”
Yahweh wanted them to implore God’s favor, so that he might be gracious to them. However, it was their own fault. Why should Yahweh show favor to any of them? They might as well shut the doors to the Temple, because they have lit fires on his altar in vain. Yahweh was not pleased with these priests. He was not going to accept any offerings from their hands.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 