The
Prophets:
“To Obey is Better than Sacrifice”
“To Obey is Better than Sacrifice”
lIsaiah 1: 11 "The multitude of your sacrifices—
what are they to me?" says the LORD.
"I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
"I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
l 12 When you come to appear before me, who has
asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?
l 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your
incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
l 14 Your New Moon festivals and your appointed
feasts my soul hates.
They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.
They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.
l 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I
will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood;
even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood;
l 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil
deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong,
l 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the
oppressed. [
Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
l 18 "Come now, let us reason together,"
says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
l 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat
the best from the land;
l 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be
devoured by the sword."
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.