This disputation is inspired by the Spirit, and not an actual dispute between Malachi and the priests. That said, it is significant that offering polluted food on God’s altar is equated with polluting God himself. Although God cannot be polluted in his own person, God can be polluted in our minds. That is, our perception of God can be corrupted or defiled. What this verse shows us is that our perception of who God is will determine what we sacrifice to God. The greater our esteem for God, the greater the sacrifice we offer. Conversely, the lower our esteem for God, the poorer our sacrifices. The greater our awareness of God’s holiness, the more holy will be our sacrifices to Him. But a lack of awareness of God’s perfection will incite us to offer less than perfect sacrifices to him.
7 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.