Some may demand why the Prophet should thus reproach the Jews, Object. seeing it is apparent that they were very diligent in offering sacrifices, according to the ordinances of the Law. Some refer this to the captivity, during which time they could offer no sacrifices, though they had bin willing so to have done. Why so? Because it was unlawful to offer them any where but in Jerusalem: Ans. for which respect, their sacrifices could not be acceptable unto God. But I rather take it as a general reproach: for whilst the people had opportunity to sacrifice, yet they could allege no merit nor worthiness, as if God had been any way beholding unto them for the same: for there was neither faith nor obedience to be seen in their sacrifices. But faith,1 as we know, and obedience, are things which God chiefly looks unto, without which, nothing we do, is, or can be pleasing in his sight. They wanted therefore integrity of heart; their hands were full of blood; §1they were wholly defiled with robberies and §2deceit; justice and equity was banished far §3from them. Albeit then that they brought §4their beasts every day unto the Temple, and offered them there, yet he rightly affirms that they offered none of these things (to him;) because God accepts of no sacrifices which are separated from the truth, and so offered them to another, and not to him: for all he required was, that by these outward means, his people should exercise their faith and obedience. But these being wanting: what worth was there in the sacrifices? Hence we gather that the Prophet speaks here of no new thing, but continues that which he began to teach in the former verse; to wit, that he rejects all hollow and servile services.
SOme may demād why the Prophet should thus reproch the Iewes, Obiect. seeing it is apparent that they were very diligent in offering sacrifices, according to the ordinances of the Law. Some refer this to the captiuitie, during which time they could offer no sacrifices, though they had bin willing so to haue done. Why so? Because it was vnlawfull to offer them any where but in Ierusalem: Ans. for which respect, their sacrifices could not be acceptable vnto God. But I rather take it as a generall reproch: for whilest the people had opportunitie to sacrifice, yet they could alleadge no merit nor worthinesse, as if God had been any way beholding vnto them for the same: for there was neither faith nor obedience to bee seene in their sacrifices. But faith,1 as we know, and obedience, are things which God chiefly lookes vnto, without which, nothing we doe, is, or can be pleasing in his sight. They wanted therefore integritie of heart; their hands were full of blood; §1they were wholly defiled with robberies and §2deceit; iustice and equitie was banished far §3from them. Albeit then that they brought §4their beasts euery day vnto the Temple, and offered them there, yet hee rightly affirmes that they offered none of these things (to him;) because God accepts of no sacrifices which are separated from the truth, and so offered them to another, and not to him: for all he required was, that by these outward meanes, his people should exercise their faith and obedience. But these being wanting: what worth was there in the sacrifices? Hence wee gather that the Prophet speakes here of no new thing, but continues that which hee began to teach in the former verse; to wit, that hee reiects all hollow and seruile seruices.
- 1God looks rather to our faith and obedience, then to our sacrifices.God lookes rather to our faith and obedience, then to our sacrifices.
