Psalm 50:7-23
As in Psalm 50, so too in Isaiah 1, God presents a case against Israel. Though they continue to offer the ritual sacrifices outwardly, their hearts have rebelled against Him. And God has had enough!
Listen, My people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel…I will not accept a bull from your household or male goats from your pens…Do I eat the flesh of bulls of drink the blood of goats? (Psalm 50:7a,9,13)
“What are all your sacrifices to Me?” ask the Lord. I have had enough…Stop bringing useless offerings…They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of putting up with [them]. (Isaiah 1:11a,13a,14b)
What are the people to do? The sacrifices were God’s idea; He established them and commanded they be done regularly. And now, He says, “Stop! I’ve had enough!”
The problem was a heart issue. Their hearts were not in the worship they were performing. Certainly you have been to a concert and heard someone play with good skill, but you somehow sensed their heart wasn’t into the moment. They were only “performing,” not expressing a true part of themselves. Likely, you also have been to a concert than was much more than a performance; one where the musician/artist played with passion as well as with great skill. A good performance moves us to clap; a presentation with passion moves us to tears.
Maybe God feels the same way.
He desires for us to be passionate in our devotion and service to Him. He wants us to serve Him because we love Him, not just out of a sense of duty. Offerings of love are acceptable and desired by Him, not offerings of habit or ritual.
He plainly says so in Psalm 50:
Sacrifice a thank offering to God…Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me…I will show him the salvation of God. (vs. 14a,23)
The Thank Offering symbolized for the Israelites their fellowship with God. Because He had blessed them so much, they would offer sacrifices of thanks to Him. Obviously, thanks is only appropriately offered when it is truly felt. If you are not really thankful, why say “thank you?” You, and probably the person you are saying it to, both know you don’t really mean it. Certainly, God knows!
It really is a simple choice. Honor God by thanking Him for His many blessings in your life; and receive even more. Or, just come before Him out of habit and/or duty; and hear Him say to you: “Enough! Stop! Your useless efforts are a burden to Me!”
The promise is this: when you feel thanks in your heart and express your thanks to God, He will hear and respond. Doing so, you honor Him and He blesses you.
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