Isaiah 43:23
Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.
Isaiah 43:23 belongs to Isaiah 41-45, where God's purpose for His people is very fully revealed, and those chapters should be prayerfully studied. The verse charges Israel with dishonoring God by failing to bring the small cattle of burnt offerings and to honor Him with sacrifices. God had not caused Israel to serve with an offering nor wearied them with incense, so their neglect was not caused by any excessive demand from Him.
The verse contrasts Israel's neglect with the beasts honoring God for the water He provided, and it leads into the charge that Israel wearied and burdened God with its sins. Though burdened by their sins, God blots out their transgressions for His own sake. In its context, the verse recalls that God's people are His servants whom He will not forget, whose transgressions He has blotted out as a thick cloud, and whom He has redeemed.
The verse teaches God's people not to turn away from His wisdom to look to finite man for wisdom, but to look to Him alone for salvation, righteousness, and strength. The chapter shows that the Lord will not be trifled with and calls His people to earnest, diligent repentance, while He gives strength to His people. The verse will be fulfilled in the last days, when God's law is made void and He shows great grace fully to His chosen people.