Obedience vs. Sacrifice
Proverbs 21:3 (NASB) To do righteousness and justice Is desired by
the LORD more than sacrifice.
I can see the emotional
battle raging in Abraham as he hears the Word of the Lord in Genesis 22.
“"Take now your son, your only son,
whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a
burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."
To me Abraham exemplifies
God’s admonition to do righteousness and justice, to walk in obedience and the
fear of the Lord. He is a man with an intimate relationship with God that impacts
every area of his life to include those he loves most! What courage, what faith
that Abraham would offer the sacrifice that God had required.
As you continue to read the
following scriptures you will see this recurring theme, obedience is better
than sacrifice.
1 Samuel 15:22 (NKJV) So
Samuel said: Has 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 heed than the fat of rams.
Isaiah 1:11-17 (NLT) 11 “What makes you think I want all your
sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the
fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and
goats.12 When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts
with all your ceremony?13 Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense
of your offerings disgusts me! As for
your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for
fasting—they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.14
I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden
to me. I cannot stand them! 15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will
not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are
covered with the blood of innocent victims.16 Wash yourselves and be clean! Get
your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways.17 Learn to do good. Seek
justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights
of widows.18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins
are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like
crimson, I will make them as white as wool.
Hosea 6:6 (AMP) For I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love
and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God
more than burnt offerings.
Micah 6:8 (NKJV) 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what
does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk
humbly with your God?
There are many Christians in
sacrificial service in churches across America, teaching Sunday school, serving
as board members and others in higher levels of church leadership. These
“servants” sacrifice their time, finances, at times relationships and even
their health. But are they walking in obedience? Are they living righteous
lives and pursuing justice as lovers of mercy, serving God with integrity and humility?
Are you?
In conclusion we read the
words of Jesus as he weighs in on this topic, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:13
(NASB)
With deepest sincerity I echo
the prayer of the Palmist, “Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts! And see if
there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
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