p. 234 | NOTE by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 15.

NOTE.

By Editor

WHEN the Lord says, "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice," and David says, "Thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it; thou delightest not in burnt-offering," we must understand it as meaning that God never had any delight in sacrifices and burnt-offering unaccompanied by a contrite spirit; for immediately after David said what we have just quoted from him, he added: "Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering." The meaning is that God is not pleased with mere form and soulless ceremony. He does not desire a person to do penance, and his favor cannot be bought by any amount of treasure or affliction of one's body. See Micah 6: 6-8. But he is pleased with a broken and contrite heart; and such a heart will say from the fullness of its sense of the divine mercy, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people." Ps. 116: 12-14.