Verse 6

The Futility of Sacrificial Ritual without Moral Obedience Although they bring their flocks and herds to seek the favor of the LORD, They will not find him– he has withdrawn himself from them!

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 1:28 : 28 Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me.
  • Mic 6:6-7 : 6 With what should I enter the LORD’s presence? With what should I bow before the sovereign God? Should I enter his presence with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? 7 Will the LORD accept a thousand rams, or ten thousand streams of olive oil? Should I give him my firstborn child as payment for my rebellion, my offspring– my own flesh and blood– for my sin?
  • Jer 7:4 : 4 Stop putting your confidence in the false belief that says,“We are safe! The temple of the LORD is here! The temple of the LORD is here! The temple of the LORD is here!”
  • Lam 3:44 : 44 You shrouded yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through.
  • Ezek 8:6 : 6 He said to me,“Son of man, do you see what they are doing– the great abominations that the people of Israel are practicing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see greater abominations than these!”
  • Prov 15:8 : 8 The LORD abhors the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
  • Isa 1:11-15 : 11 “Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” says the LORD.“I have had my fill of burnt sacrifices of rams and the fat from steers. The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats I do not want. 12 When you enter my presence, do you actually think I want this– animals trampling on my courtyards? 13 Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; I consider your incense detestable! You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations, but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations! 14 I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies; they are a burden that I am tired of carrying. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I look the other way; when you offer your many prayers, I do not listen, because your hands are covered with blood.
  • John 7:34 : 34 You will look for me but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come.”
  • Isa 66:3 : 3 The one who slaughters a bull also strikes down a man; the one who sacrifices a lamb also breaks a dog’s neck; the one who presents an offering includes pig’s blood with it; the one who offers incense also praises an idol. They have decided to behave this way; they enjoy these disgusting practices.
  • Exod 10:9 : 9 Moses said,“We will go with our young and our old, with our sons and our daughters, and with our sheep and our cattle we will go, because we are to hold a pilgrim feast for the LORD.”
  • Exod 10:24-26 : 24 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said,“Go, serve the LORD– only your flocks and herds will be detained. Even your families may go with you.” 25 But Moses said,“Will you also provide us with sacrifices and burnt offerings that we may present them to the LORD our God? 26 Our livestock must also go with us! Not a hoof is to be left behind! For we must take these animals to serve the LORD our God. Until we arrive there, we do not know what we must use to serve the LORD.”
  • Prov 21:27 : 27 The wicked person’s sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent!
  • Song 5:6 : 6 I opened for my beloved, but my lover had already turned and gone away. I fell into despair when he departed. I looked for him but did not find him; I called him but he did not answer me.
  • Ezek 8:18 : 18 Therefore I will act with fury! My eye will not pity them nor will I spare them. When they have shouted in my ears, I will not listen to them.”
  • Amos 5:21-23 : 21 “I absolutely despise your festivals! I get no pleasure from your religious assemblies! 22 Even if you offer me burnt and grain offerings, I will not be satisfied; I will not look with favor on your peace offerings of fattened calves. 23 Take away from me your noisy songs; I don’t want to hear the music of your stringed instruments.
  • Jer 11:11 : 11 So I, the LORD, say this:‘I will soon bring disaster on them which they will not be able to escape! When they cry out to me for help, I will not listen to them.
  • Luke 5:16 : 16 Yet Jesus himself frequently withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
  • Mic 3:4 : 4 Someday these sinful leaders will cry to the LORD for help, but he will not answer them. He will hide his face from them at that time, because they have done such wicked deeds.”