Stop Bringing Me Stuff

Stop bringing me meaningless offerings
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations -
I cannot bear your evil assemblies. (Isaiah 1:13 NIV)

Is God really telling his people to stop bringing sacrifices?

Does God not want people to gather together to worship?

Not exactly.

Notice He doesn't say "stop bringing me offerings".

He qualifies it by prohibiting "meaningless" offerings.

So what does God want?

...Stop doing wrong,
learn to do right!

Like what? He goes on...

Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed,
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.

And not only taking care of others. Make sure YOU are in right relationship with God:

"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 as wool." (Isaiah 1:16b-18 NIV)

God wants our sacrifice and our worship to be meaningful.

God longs for our obedience and offerings to flow out of a responsive, thankful life.

Take a moment and ask God, "Is there anything in my life that is displeasing to you?"

"What can I do to begin to make it right?"

God will respond to us as we respond to Him.

Grace & peace