Isaiah 43:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For this reason, He asserts, “I have not now called you Jacob.” The term “now” indicates that it is not because you offer sacrifices that I call you; rather, I have called you, who did not temper oxen nor sacrifice sheep, to ensure you do not misconstrue your liberation as a sort of repayment for your offerings. You, who are burdened by sin and defilement (having served the gods of Egypt), I have favored with mercy and love. Grace embodies the gift of mercy and the result of compassion, emanating from love. He states, “Nothing from your burnt offerings is for me, nor have you glorified me through your sacrifices." If that which is rejected is offered in vain, how can it contribute to my glory? I do not bind you to your sacrifices; He explains that only those who engage in virtuous acts and humble themselves to My designs and serve sacred revelations can be said to work for the Almighty. Conversely, those who fill the sacred tabernacle with incense or offer oxen and sheep without performing any truly commendable deeds fail to earn genuine glory, for they have done nothing pleasing to Me. True service to God does not lie in sacrifices but in a willing submission to His will. Regarding what brings Me joy, He says, “I did not ask you for offerings from Lebanon, nor did you purchase incense for Me with silver, nor did you bring me the fruit of your labors." This mirrors what was said by another prophet: “Gather your burnt offerings together with your sacrifices, and eat meat; for I did not speak to your ancestors or command them on the day I brought them out of Egypt concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Jeremiah 7:21–22). In another instance, Jeremiah again questioned, “Why do you bring me a censer from Sheba and fragrant cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me” (Jeremiah 6:20). Similarly, the Psalmist declares, "I will not accept bulls from your house, nor goats from your flocks" (Psalm 49:9). Throughout, He categorically denies the shadowy service to those who are rejected, guiding them away from mere symbols and instead directing them toward justification in Christ, while imparting the teachings of the Gospel life, through which pleasing God and achieving genuine spiritual purity in worship becomes possible. For as He said, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Regarding your sacrifices and the sheep you slay, understand that they are not accepted by Me, for they have become equivalent to those offered to idols. I repeat the concern I have expressed: Why do I need your multitude of sacrifices, declares the Lord? I am already satisfied with the burnt offerings of sheep and the fat of lambs; the blood of oxen and goats is of no need to Me (Isaiah 1:11). For I, says the Lord, have not demanded anything burdensome from you. I did not ask you for offerings, incense, spiced reeds, or fragrant ointments to fulfill My needs; rather, what I desire is obedience, which is greater than sacrifice, alongside the offering that David mentions in the Psalms: “Sacrifice to God a broken spirit, a contrite and humble heart; God will not despise” (Psalms 50:19). This is what He sought, this is what He required. Yet you continue to weigh Me down with your sins, compelling Me to declare, “I am weary of bearing it” (Isaiah 1:14), and I can no longer endure your actions. Therefore, God also speaks through Hosea: “What shall I do for you, Ephraim? Shall I protect you, O Israel? What can I hold against you? I will establish you as I did Adam and Seboim” (Hosea 11:8). As for the account given by the Seventy, “But in your sins, I have defended you, and through your iniquities,” this aligns with the earlier sentiment that the defense of sinners is a burden and weariness for God.