The concept of the burnt offering is deeply rooted in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, serving as a means for individuals to express devotion, seek atonement, and maintain a right relationship with God. However, Scripture makes it clear that the efficacy of such offerings is contingent upon the heart and character of the offerer. The burnt offering of the wicked, therefore, is not accepted by God, as it is not the mere act of sacrifice that pleases Him, but the righteousness and sincerity of the one who offers it.

Biblical Foundation

The burnt offering, or "olah" in Hebrew, was a voluntary act of worship, atonement, and commitment to God. It involved the complete burning of the sacrificial animal on the altar, symbolizing total surrender to God. Leviticus 1 provides detailed instructions on how these offerings were to be conducted, emphasizing the importance of following God's commands precisely.

However, the prophets and wisdom literature of the Old Testament highlight that God does not delight in sacrifices offered by those who live in wickedness. Proverbs 15:8 states, "The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight." This verse underscores the principle that God values the heart's posture over ritualistic observance.

Prophetic Rebuke

The prophets frequently rebuked Israel for offering sacrifices while living in disobedience. Isaiah 1:11-15 captures God's disdain for insincere offerings: "What is your multitude of sacrifices to Me? says the LORD. I am full of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats... Even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood." Here, God expresses that sacrifices, when divorced from a life of righteousness, are meaningless and even offensive.

Similarly, in Amos 5:21-24 , God declares, "I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them... But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." The emphasis is on justice and righteousness as the true offerings God desires.

Heart Condition Over Ritual

The rejection of the wicked's burnt offerings is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing that God desires obedience and a contrite heart over mere ritual. In 1 Samuel 15:22 , the prophet Samuel tells King Saul, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams."

This principle is further echoed in Psalm 51:16-17 , where David, in his repentance, acknowledges, "For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Himself criticizing the Pharisees for their outward religiosity devoid of inner righteousness. In Matthew 23:23 , Jesus admonishes, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes that true worship is a matter of the heart, as seen in Romans 12:1 : "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

Conclusion

The burnt offering of the wicked, not accepted by God, serves as a sobering reminder that God seeks genuine devotion and righteousness over empty rituals. The consistent biblical message is that God desires a heart aligned with His will, characterized by justice, mercy, and humility.Isaiah 1:10,11
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 6:19,20
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 5:22
Though you offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Sacrifice, and of an Offering Worthy of God, and of the Form of ...
... a victim, and as many things as are burnt upon the ... His offering is innocency of soul;
His sacrifice praise and ... of God consists of one thing, not to be wicked. ...
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The Best of All, God is with Us
... In this wicked city, our young people"yet I do not ... But David could not go before
it to enquire of God ... and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the best of all god.htm

A Reasonable Service
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the ... corresponds to the Old Testament presentation of the burnt offering all of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a reasonable service.htm

Hezekiah
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their wicked ways; then ... was spent by the people in offering peace offerings ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

A Discourse On
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and wicked are their children ... But children of adulterers shall not come to ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii a discourse on.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
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/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Letter cxi. (November, AD 409. )
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or burnt-offering, or sacrifice ... Like as in the burnt-offerings of rams and ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxi november a d 409.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the ... My face, and turn
from their wicked ways; then ... in My house of prayer: their burnt offerings and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ...
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/.../sermon xviii balaks inquiries relative.htm

Jeremiah and Deuteronomy. (Chs. vii, viii. 8, xi. )
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concerning burnt-offerings and ... Thee of: The way of the wicked"why doth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 jeremiah and deuteronomy chs.htm

What is a burnt offering? | GotQuestions.org

What were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Why would the aroma of a sacrifice be important to God? | GotQuestions.org

Burnt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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