“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me [without your repentance]?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of [your] burnt offerings of rams And the fat of well-fed cattle [without your obedience]; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls or lambs or goats [offered without repentance].
Isaiah 1:11 AMP
Have you ever wondered what God truly desires from us? His message in Isaiah 1:11 rings clear: “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me [without your repentance]?” God’s desire isn’t for mere rituals or offerings; He longs for something deeper—our hearts yielded in total obedience. Meanwhile, repentance is not only for the guilty sinner but also for the sinning saint.
When God speaks, His words are directed both to those who are yet to enter into a relationship with Him (commonly known as unbelievers), and those who profess faith. He calls everyone, believer and unbeliever alike, to repentance. God calls believers to repentance, urging them to turn from their sinful ways and disobedience. While the messages of God’s prophets may serve as warnings of impending judgment, they’re not mere threats; they are a call to repentance and salvation. This includes those who secretly harbour sin and those who have drifted from complete obedience to God’s word.
I sent my prophets to warn you. They gave you my messages that I would punish you. Now that punishment will certainly happen to you! I will suddenly come to judge you, like the sun that rises at dawn. It is faithful love that makes me happy. That would be better than your sacrifices to me. You should know me as your God. That would be better than your burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:5-6 EASY
God’s desire is more than religious activities; it’s a yearning for faithful love. He delights in the sincerity of your heart rather than the volume of your offerings. Hosea 6:5-6 (EASY) captures this sentiment beautifully. God’s pleasure lies in lasting love, not ritualistic religion. It’s not about the things you can receive from Him, but the depth of your love for Him. God beckons us all into a personal relationship rather than mere religious practices.
I’m after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings.
Hosea 6:6 MSG
The many words of God that you’ve heard are not mere empty utterances; they serve a distinct purpose. God’s intent is not to merely demand your “cheerful giving” or religious rituals, but to capture your heart in obedience. God desires a blameless walk in His presence, a living faith, not empty rituals.
Keep your foot [give your mind to what you are doing] when you go [as Jacob to sacred Bethel] to the house of God. For to draw near to hear and obey is better than to give the sacrifice of fools [carelessly, irreverently] too ignorant to know that they are doing evil.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 AMPC
While prayer is vital in your relationship with God, listening and obeying are foundational. “Keep your foot when you go to the house of God” reminds us to approach God’s presence with reverence. Instead of thoughtless offerings, come with the intent to hear Him and obey His instructions. Drawing near to God to receive His guidance is far more valuable than careless sacrifices.
In God’s eyes, genuine repentance and faithful love are more valuable than empty rituals or thoughtless sacrifices. Whether you are a believer or a seeker, God’s call for repentance is universal. He seeks hearts turned toward Him, willing to listen, obey, and love deeply. Repentance, therefore, is not a matter of guilt but a path to a renewed and deeper connection with the divine.
When you come into God’s presence to worship, approach with the intention of drawing near to hear Him clearly, and then to obey His instructions. Your relationship with God should be more than seeking what you can gain from Him; it should reflect a genuine love and commitment. In the presence of God, maintain a mindset of being near to Him, to hear and obey. Embrace this as the core of your worship, and it will be far more pleasing to God than thoughtless rituals and sacrifices.
