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"But the LORD does not accept them"

Text: Hosea 8:13

ATTEMPTS TO OFFER WORSHIP TO THE LORD

There were some who felt that they must offer sacrifices to the LORD God too. This was in addition to all the idolatrous worship to the deities Israel embraced.

“For the sacrifices of My offerings
they sacrifice flesh and eat it,
But the LORD does not accept them.
Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.
They shall return to Egypt.”
Hosea 8:13

1. The offerings made to God

a) “The sacrifices of My offering”

There were many offerings to be made to the LORD (Book of Leviticus).

b) A number may be highlighted:

i) The peace offering

ii) The sin offering

iii) The burnt offering

c) “They sacrifice flesh and eat it”

i) In some instances, part of the offerings made were returned to the worshippers.

ii) The worshippers would then be able to partake of the animals they sacrificed.

d) “But the LORD does not accept them”

i) All offerings had to be accepted by the Lord in the first place.

ii) The problem here was that God would not receive nor accept their offerings.

e) Some reasons for rejection from the LORD:

i) Wickedness was not repented of.

ii) False ideas were associated with the worship of God.

iii) The Lord was not truly worshipped and honoured in such worship activities.

2. “Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins”

a) The iniquities of the nation had not been confessed.

b) Thus, their sins and iniquities would be remembered by the LORD.

c) They would be duly punished.

3. “They shall return to Egypt”

a) Not in the literal sense.

b) Israel would be enslaved by Assyria this time round.