Relating With God

One of the many things we are taught about God is that He desires a personal relationship with us. When this relationship was tainted by sin, God put a sacrificial system into place as a temporary measure until the appointed time.. There are many times in Scripture that speaks of God wanting to get rid of the sacrifices and regain what was lost because of the Fall. In Genesis, we see acts of obedience that do not require sacrifice even though man did it anyway where God was speaking directly with those who had faith.
Animal sacrifices took the place of the relationship because they thought it was the only thing that appeased Him. The action took precedence over prayer. Sacrifice eventually became a way of feeding the priests and their families. The sacrifice became tainted.

Samuel and Obedience
In this first example, Samuel discusses obedience over sacrifice:
Samuel said, “Does Adonai take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying what Adonai says? Surely obeying is better than sacrifice, and heeding orders than the fat of rams. “For rebellion is like the sin of sorcery, stubbornness like the crime of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of Adonai, he too has rejected you as king.”  1 Samuel 15:22-23
The Israelites only sacrificed and turned to God when they were in distress and troubled. This was not out of obedience but desperation for saving from an enemy. Once saved they would do the sacrifices and feasts for a little while then fall away again. This happened a lot.

David and Solomon, Realizing Brokenness, Developing a Relationship
Looking further down in Scripture, David understood the desire of God not to rely solely on sacrifice of an innocent animal, but for us to have full dependence and reliance on God. Our personal relationship with God begins with recognizing who He is, repenting and praising Him:  
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.  Psalm 51: 15-17
Solomon learned from his father David that a sacrifice done out of simple compliance without desire for true repentance is not what God wants from us. God desires a repentant obedient heart who communicates both troubles and adoration:
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. Proverbs 15:8
From this we understand that prayer and supplication are what God desires from us.

Isaiah and the Movement away from Sacrifice
During the time of Isaiah, God spoke and said He has had enough of the spilling and splattering of blood, and man-made celebrations:
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. “When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. Isaiah 1:11-14
The smell of incense, burnt sacrifices, and feasts were literally less desirable to God at that time. The sacrifice and other traditions became an routine act that lost the true meaning. At this point God seems to be trying to get Israel to understand that He desires a personal relationship in which He would be totally committed as long as the Believer was as well. Did they listen? No. What does God do? Send them into exile forcing them to develop a new relationship with God.

Hosea and Love
Hosea was a prophet that saw the future glory of Israel. He also understood that God desires a relationship that involves love, trust, and obedience:
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

Hebrews and Complete Surrender to a Relationship with God
The writer of Hebrews (said to be Paul) speaks clearly of the displeasure God has in the sacrifices. He also reiterated the purpose of Jesus as fulfilling the law of the sacrifices and feasts, as well as correcting the Word distorted by man. Because of Jesus, we are free from the penalty of sin as long as we believe and follow God’s Will and Word in our lives.
4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.
10And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
    after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
    and write them on their minds,”
17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Hebrews 10:4-6, 8-9, 18

How did the Israelites miss this?
As we see through the progression of scripture, the people  were so  concerned with pleasing God through the act of spilling innocent blood that they lost the spiritual truth. Eventually there was a turn towards a relationship which involves full submission to God’s Will. We know this as God’s Love through His Grace which saves us as we Trust in Jesus who gave up His life to complete God’s plan for Salvation of His Creation. The sacrifices of innocents and certain feasts and festivals are no longer valid as the new covenant covers all in the redeeming blood of Christ.
When will the rest of the Israelites turn to God and bask in His Grace? Hopefully soon. Brothers and Sisters, this part of the year we remember Jesus’ sacrifice as a willing lamb who does the Father’s Will. We seek the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Helper sent down after Jesus Ascended. We must diligently seek to hear the voice of God speaking to us through the Holy Spirit to develop the relationship that is desired of all God’s children.
Can we bring the lost children of God home? Yes. Will it be easy? No. But with God, all things are possible.
God’s Love and Blessings to all,
 Rob, Servant of God