One function of the priests was to announce to the worshipper God’s acceptance of and delight in the sacrifices (see Leviticus 1:3–4; Leviticus 22:18–19). To be told that God abhorred them would have been shocking.1 Israel’s offerings to God are considered to be unfit not because of ritual impurity but because they are not accompanied by acts of justice and righteousness. Samuel (1 Samuel 15:22–23), David (Psalm 51:16–17), Isaiah (Isaiah 1:10–17), Hosea (Hosea 6:6), Micah (Micah 6:6–8), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:21–26) all agree that sacrifice without obedience is a meaningless ritual, an insult to the grace and goodness of the Lord.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them.