Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. It requires both mercy and sacrifice, but the relations between them properly preserved. 1. The rule of true religion requires that all God commands should be respected, and obedience endeavoured, so that moral duties be chiefly made conscience of. Under "sacrifice and burnt-offerings" is comprehended all their ceremonial performances. so far as they were mere external performances rested on by the people. His "not desiring sacrifice" is not to be understood simply, as if the Lord did not approve, even of the external performances which were enjoined by Himself; but comparatively, that He desired moral duties more than burnt-offerings. To which may be added, that in some cases, when moral duties come in competition with ceremonials, the Lord doth not desire ceremonials at that time, but moral duties. 2. Let men submit never so much to the external injunctions of religion and worship, or think to satisfy their own consciences therewith, yet where Christ is not closed with, to enable and make men willing and active in moral duties, they will not be approved in the other at all. 3. Such as would approve themselves to God, ought to make conscience of moral duties, both of the first and second table of the law, and particularly, the saving knowledge of God, whereby we may regulate the rest of our obedience. Shewing of mercy in cases wherein we seem not to be so strictly bound, will prove our reality in religion. (George Hutcheson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.WEB: For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. |
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