◄ Proverbs 15:8 ►
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Study Bible
The sacrifice of the wicked
In the Hebrew text, the word for "sacrifice" is "זֶבַח" (zevach), which refers to offerings made to God, often involving the slaughter of an animal. In ancient Israel, sacrifices were a central part of worship and covenant relationship with God. However, this phrase highlights that the mere act of sacrifice, when performed by the "wicked" (רָשָׁע, rasha), is not pleasing to God. The term "wicked" refers to those who are morally wrong or guilty of sin. This underscores a key biblical principle: God values the heart and intent behind actions more than the actions themselves. Sacrifices without genuine repentance and righteousness are "detestable" (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah) to God, meaning they are abominable or loathsome. This reflects the consistent biblical theme that God desires obedience and righteousness over ritualistic offerings (1 Samuel 15:22).

is detestable to the LORD
The word "detestable" in Hebrew is "תּוֹעֵבָה" (to'evah), which conveys a strong sense of abhorrence or disgust. This term is often used in the Old Testament to describe practices that are morally and spiritually repugnant to God. The "LORD" here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. The verse teaches that God is not impressed by outward religious acts when they are performed by those who live in wickedness. It is a reminder that God sees beyond the surface and judges the heart's intentions and the moral character of the worshiper.

but the prayer of the upright
In contrast to the sacrifices of the wicked, the "prayer" (תְּפִלָּה, tefillah) of the "upright" (יָשָׁר, yashar) is highlighted. Prayer, in this context, represents sincere communication with God, reflecting a heart aligned with His will. The "upright" are those who live in integrity and righteousness, adhering to God's commandments and moral standards. This phrase emphasizes that God values a genuine relationship with His people, marked by honest and heartfelt communication. The upright are those who strive to live according to God's ways, and their prayers are a reflection of their righteous lives.

is His delight
The Hebrew word for "delight" is "רָצוֹן" (ratson), which means pleasure or favor. This indicates that God takes joy and pleasure in the prayers of the upright. Unlike the sacrifices of the wicked, which are detestable, the prayers of the righteous bring God joy and satisfaction. This highlights the relational aspect of faith, where God desires a personal and sincere connection with His people. It serves as an encouragement for believers to pursue righteousness and maintain a prayerful life, knowing that such devotion is pleasing to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The central figure in this verse, representing God, who is the ultimate judge of human actions and intentions.

2. The Wicked
Individuals who live in opposition to God's commands and whose sacrifices are not pleasing to Him.

3. The Upright
Those who live righteously and in accordance with God's will, whose prayers are a delight to Him.
Teaching Points
The Heart of Worship
God values the condition of our hearts over the external acts of worship. True worship stems from a sincere and obedient heart.

The Danger of Hypocrisy
Engaging in religious rituals without genuine faith and repentance is detestable to God. We must examine our motives and ensure they align with God's will.

The Power of Prayer
The prayers of the righteous are a delight to God. We should strive to live upright lives so that our prayers are effective and pleasing to Him.

Righteous Living
Living a life that aligns with God's commands is more important than merely performing religious duties. Our actions should reflect our faith.

God's Delight in the Upright
God takes pleasure in the prayers of those who live righteously. This should encourage us to pursue holiness and integrity in our daily lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the condition of our heart affect the way God views our acts of worship?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our religious practices are not merely ritualistic but are pleasing to God?

3. How can we apply the principle of valuing obedience over sacrifice in our daily lives?

4. What steps can we take to align our prayers with the will of God, ensuring they are a delight to Him?

5. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament reinforce the message of Proverbs 15:8 regarding the importance of inner righteousness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 15:22
This verse emphasizes that obedience to God is more important than sacrifice, highlighting the importance of the heart's condition over ritualistic offerings.

Isaiah 1:11-17
God expresses His disdain for empty rituals and sacrifices when they are not accompanied by genuine righteousness and justice.

Psalm 51:16-17
David acknowledges that God desires a contrite heart over burnt offerings, aligning with the idea that God values sincerity and repentance.

Matthew 23:23
Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for focusing on minor laws while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness, underscoring the importance of inner righteousness.
Sermons
Difficulties and Ignorance in PrayerCanon Diggle.Proverbs 15:8
God's Delight in the Prayer of the UprightProverbs 15:8
Let Us PrayThomas Spurgeon.Proverbs 15:8
Two Worshippers ContrastedThomas Dale, M. A.Proverbs 15:8
God's Hatreds and God's DelightsE. Johnson Proverbs 15:8, 9
With Whom God is PleasedW. Clarkson Proverbs 15:8, 9
People
Abaddon, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abomination, Delight, Disgusting, Evil-doer, Offering, Pleases, Prayer, Sacrifice, Upright, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 15:8

     8460   pleasing God
     8605   prayer, and God's will
     8784   nominal religion

Library
God, the All-Seeing One
A sermon (No. 177) delivered on Sabbath morning, February 14, 1858 At The Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens by C. H. Spurgeon. "Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?" -- Proverbs 15:11. You have often smiled at the ignorance of heathens who bow themselves before gods of wood and stone. You have quoted the words of Scripture and you have said, "Eyes have they, but they see not; ears have they, but they hear not." You have therefore argued that …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Hedge of Thorns and the Plain Way
A sermon (No. 1948) delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain."--Proverbs 15:19. You must have noticed how frequently godly people almost wear out their Bibles in certain places. The Psalms, the Gospel of John, and parts of the Epistles are favourite portions, and are thumbed in many an old believer's Bible till the fact is very noticeable. There are certain sheep-tracks …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

God, the All-Seeing One
We have in our text, first of all, a great fact declared,--"Hell and destruction are before the Lord ;" we have, secondly, a great fact inferred,--"How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" I. We will begin with THE GREAT FACT WHICH IS DECLARED--a fact which furnishes us with premises from which we deduce the practical conclusion of the second sentence--"How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" The best interpretation that you can give of those two words, "hell" and "destruction," …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
To Rechared, King of the Visigoths [82] . Gregory to Rechared, &c. I cannot express in words, most excellent son, how much I am delighted with thy work and thy life. For on hearing of the power of a new miracle in our days, to wit that the whole nation of the Goths has through thy Excellency been brought over from the error of Arian heresy to the firmness of a right faith, one is disposed to exclaim with the prophet, This is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High (Ps. lxxvi. 11 [83] …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Contention Over the Man Born Blind.
(Jerusalem.) ^D John IX. 1-41. [Some look upon the events in this and the next section as occurring at the Feast of Tabernacles in October, others think they occurred at the Feast of Dedication in December, deriving their point of time from John x. 22.] ^d 1 And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. [The man probably sought to waken compassion by repeatedly stating this fact to passers-by.] 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. We come now, as was proposed, to observe, Thirdly,(474) That faith unfeigned is the only thing which gives the answer of a good conscience towards God. Conscience, in general, is nothing else but a practical knowledge of the rule a man should walk by, and of himself in reference to that rule. It is the laying down a man's state, and condition, and actions beside the rule of God's word, or the principles of nature's light. It is the chief piece …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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