The underlying issue was that the hearts of both the priests and the people were devoid of all love and gratitude toward the Lord for his love and mercy depicted in the sacrificial service. They had no awareness of their sins, with the result that they had no appreciation for the grace of God portrayed in the sacrificial service. This is the problem of the ages, addressed time and again in Scripture (Psalm 50:1–23; Isaiah 1:10–15; Isaiah 29:13). The Lord Jesus Christ experienced the same in his day (Matthew 15:8). Jesus spoke of the day when people would worship him rightly, in spirit and truth (John 4:23–24), from the heart in response to the awareness of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ toward wretched sinners. Worship without this awareness becomes tedious and boring, a burden rather than a delight (Isaiah 58:13).
13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD.