Author: Theodore Enke
Company: Conejo Koinonia Church

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, 
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."  Hosea 6:6

This is a telling portion of Scripture and I would like to give several translations that will help open God's heart regarding sacrifice.

'For I desire mercy and not sacrifice...' NKJV and the NIV
And from "The Word, The Bible from 26 Translation":
'For I delight in mercy...' H.Spurrell
'For I desire loving kindness...' The New Berkley Version
'It is true love that I wanted...' J.B. Phillips

Notice the emphasis is on loyalty, loving kindness, and mercy.  These require a contrite heart.  The natural outcome then is obedience.  That is the kind of sacrifice that is pleasing to the Lord.

Psalm 51:16-17 tells us,
"For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
You will not be pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
(It is good to read all of Psalm 51)

"...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice..."  1 Samuel 15:22  (1 Samuel chapter 15 is a tragic story of disobedience.  Please read the whole chapter.)

How many there are who, in hard situations, try to bargain with God for His help in the matter by promising sacrifices, then when the emergency has passed they forget their promise to God.
God doesn't want promises of sacrifice, but true love, steadfast loyalty, a contrite heart, a tender heart, a heart of mercy.  Not 'burnt offerings' or hollow promises.

Let us heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul as in Romans 12:1-2,
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

As the song goes:
"Not my will, but Thine be done,
That the fullness of the Son,
May dwell within this life,
That I have offered You.
Until everything I do 
is the thing that pleases You, 
Abba Father, I will be a son indeed."

All praise and honor with thanksgiving, we give to the only wise God and Lord now and forever.  Amen