Justice, Not Sacrifice

Here is a classic passage of the prophets. God says He wants mercy and knowledge and not sacrifice. He does not want us to teach others about sacrifice. He wants us to teach them the knowledge of God so they can know how to live His way and be blessed with their family and nation. Righteous exalts a nation, not sacrifice. God wants our nation exalted.

They had a faithfulness that lasted like the morning dew. They always needed correction. They could not be trusted beyond five minutes, but would revert to their nature. This is because they lacked new birth. They were faithful when being watched, by faithless when no one was looking or checking.

…for your goodness is like a morning cloud and as the early dew it goes away. Therefore I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth…For I desired mercy and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:4-6).

I hate, I despise your feast days and I will not smell (accept) in your solemn assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; for I will not hear the melody of your viols.

But let judgement run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream. (Amos 5:21-24).

What beautiful poetry these prophets wrote. They depicted a righteous and just nation, with courts and fair law and protection for all peoples, as one where waters ran like streams, nourishing the people. What a beautiful sound to the ears is a good report of faithfulness in the heart of the people, like the sound of a stream of water. But how bad is the sound of a evil report of corruption.

The pagan gods come to take your food and make you sacrifice (to steal, kill and destroy). God wants our children to grow up in a safe, peaceful society where they are cared for and loved. This is what true religion is for. It is not the devil that stops this, but the ways of the people. This must be stopped by the gospel.