THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
The other prophets admonished them for disregarding the essential aspect of righteousness, placing their hopes for redemption in ritual offerings. In their defense, they claimed, "We present sacrifices, we bring burnt offerings." However, the Lord responded, "I have not come to judge you for this nor to accuse you as if you had rejected it." Isaiah delivers a stronger rebuke, stating, "Why have I need of your multitude of sacrifices?" declares the Lord. "I find no pleasure in the burnt offerings of sheep or the fat of well-fed cattle. I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, and goats. When you come to present yourselves before me, who has asked you to trample upon my courts?" (Isaiah 1:11, 12).
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Although scripture discusses sacrifices extensively, God provided regulations for them not out of a particular craving for such offerings but rather in compassion for the weaknesses of the Israelites. Jeremiah echoes this sentiment, asking, "For what do I need the incense that comes from Sheba or the sweet cane from a distant land?" (Jer. 6:20). In general, the prophets convey the insignificance of these practices. Therefore, God, initiating His message, states, "I am God, your God," highlighting that such forms of worship fail to honor Him. Indeed, the Lord is not to be revered through smoke or unpleasant odors but through a righteous and spiritual life. This is not the demand of the pagan deities, who require offerings for themselves. A Greek poet expresses this when he asserts, "We have received this lot" (Iliad 4:49). In contrast, our God does not seek bloodshed; the gods of the pagan world, intent on fostering violence, repeatedly called for such offerings. However, He aimed to gradually lead them away from violence, even reducing the killing of irrational creatures to mere concession by allowing sacrifices that did not necessitate the destruction of innocent life.