Likewise
in numerous places God speaks as though He had not commanded animal sacrifices
in order to emphasize how much more important moral obedience is as compared
with going through an outward ritual. Consider the following:
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey
is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).
I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of
thy folds.. . Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer
unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High (Psalm 50:9, 13, 14).
For thou desireth not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou
delightest not in burnt-offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a
broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise (Psalm 51:16, 17).
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord:
I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I
delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats... Learn to do
well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the
widow (Isaiah 1:11, 17).
For I desired Mercy, and not sacrifice; and knowledge of God more than burnt
offerings (Hosea 6:6).
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not
sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless (Matthew
12:7).
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