Good morning!
Text: Hosea 5-8; Song of Solomon 7
Old Testament worship meant sacrifice. The temple sacrifice system was a centerpiece of Hebrew culture, ordained by God and surrounded by ceremony, incense, prayer and piety. To serve the Lord as a priest meant the sacrifice of animals and of offerings of grain and wine. It would have been easy to conclude that sacrifice is the highest calling, that which pleases God most. But, consider this:
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6).
The upshot of these words is that sacrifice is what God requires in the aftermath of sin. From God’s perspective, if we love Him fully and know Him well, we will sin less, and there will be less need for sacrifices. To pursue holiness because we love Him – that pleases God more than coming to Him in repentance after our sin. It makes sense, doesn’t it?
in Him, Mike