The Lord Does Not Accept Them
Hosea 8:13 (ESV) – As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the LORD does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.
God wants our hearts to be given completely to Him. He doesn’t want us to go through the motions or give our offerings without sincerity. He would rather have our hearts than our possessions. God prefers a sincere heart rather than empty words. This is true at all times and places and for all people.
Our passage today teaches this truth. We read in Hosea 8:13, “As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the LORD does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.”
God saw the sacrifices of the people of Israel and did not accept them. Why? It says the people ate the meat they sacrificed to the Lord. They were more consumed with filling their bellies than honoring the LORD. The LORD did not accept their offerings. This shows us that heartless duty and vain motions of sacrifice do not please God. He isn’t interested in just receiving things from us. He wants our hearts.
The result of this is that their sins are not forgiven. God remembers their iniquities. In other words, instead of receiving their sacrifice and removing their sins from them, He is going to punish them. The sacrifice will be insufficient. Without intercession and sacrifice, nobody can have their sins forgiven.
This is why the gospel is such good news. Jesus is the Son of God who came into the world to save sinners. How does He save us? He lays His life down as an acceptable sacrifice to the LORD. He bears our sins in His body at the cross. He dies, and the Father receives the sacrifice. We know this because God raised Him from the dead. If we have trusted in Christ and put our faith in Him, then our sins are remembered no more. We are not punished for our sins because Christ was punished for us. This is the best news in the world. Live in light of this today, and give God thanks for accepting the sacrifice of Christ.
"If we have trusted in Christ and put our faith in Him, then our sins are remembered no more. This is the best news in the world. Live in light of this today, and give God thanks for accepting the sacrifice of Christ."
Reflection & Journal:
-Why does God not accept the sacrifices of the people?
-What does this teach us about the character of God?
-How is Christ the acceptable sacrifice in our place?
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