(Leviticus 7:1; Jeremiah 7:1)

1^ST CATEGORY NT

QUESTION 103. HOW DOES THE LORD COMMIT IN LEVITICUS TO OFFER SACRIFICES AND LIBATIONS THAT HE REJECTS IN ANOTHER PLACE? WE READ IN LEVITICUS THAT THE LORD COMMANDED THE ISRAELITES TO OFFER HIM LIBATIONS, SACRIFICES, BURNT OFFERINGS. HOWEVER, THIS IS WHAT HE SAYS TO THEM THROUGH THE MOUTH OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH: "ADD AS MUCH AS YOU PLEASE YOUR BURNT OFFERINGS TO YOUR VICTIMS, AND EAT THE FLESH OF YOUR SACRIFICES, FOR I DID NOT ORDAIN TO YOUR FATHERS, IN THE DAY THAT I TOOK THEM OUT OF EGYPT, TO OFFER ME BURNT OFFERINGS AND VICTIMS.” — This question of holocausts and sacrifices, thoroughly examined, cannot cause any difficulty, and the Lord neither contradicted nor changed his prescriptions by revoking a commandment he would have given. In fact, we find no command that relates to the sacrifices, libations, and burnt offerings he speaks of in this place. Remember, then, that there were two kinds of sacrifices; the first included all the sacrifices which God had prescribed for the different circumstances; the other the voluntary sacrifices. God had thus prescribed the various sacrifices that were to be offered either for sins or for the firstborn, and regulated the matter and mode of these sacrifices. But the voluntary sacrifice had not been the object of any command; it was left to the will of everyone who offered what he considered good; these sacrifices were essentially voluntary. But as negligence and recklessness were introduced into these sacrifices and the Jews did not think that the gifts offered to the Almighty should be carefully chosen, God said to them, "I did not command you to offer me these sacrifices, but if you want to offer them, you must choose victims worthy of me.” Thus Cain made himself guilty by not thinking that he should offer God the best fruits of the earth. (Gen. 4:6) They claimed to offer these sacrifices to God, to make him favorable, and they rather attracted his indignation; and far from doing a good work as they boasted, they were guilty of offering to God burnt offerings unworthy of him. This is the reproach he makes them by the prophet Malachi: "If you present a blind or crippling heifer for a sacrifice, is it not an evil?" "Raise it to your master or chief if they please him, or if he welcomes your face, says the Lord Almighty. "(Mal. 1:8) He addresses the same complaints to them by the prophet Isaiah: I have not made for you to seek or purchase incense at great cost, I did not desire the fat of your victims, and you presented them before me covered with your sins and your iniquities." (Isa. 1:11) This is the true motive of these reproaches: they offered voluntary sacrifices to God, but these sacrifices were not homage pleasing to God because they offered him unworthy victims without these sacrifices being obligatory. God had demanded them; necessity could have excused the more or less perfect choice of the victims; but as these sacrifices were voluntary, they had to offer victims that were a testimony of their religion towards God. Their mind was entirely devoted to the false worship of idols; from this negligence in the sacrifices they were taking away from the true God. The Lord therefore reproaches them with a double reproach, of daring to sacrifice to God with a soul soiled by iniquity, and of offering him victims unworthy of him; for the guilty actions are not redeemed by sacrifices, but by the tears and mercy of God. So listen to what David says after his sin: "If you had wanted sacrifices, I would have given you some, but burnt offerings are not pleasing to you. The sacrifice that God requires is a soul broken with pain, God does not disdain a contrite and humiliated heart.” What does Samuel say to Saul, who, having despised the Lord's commandments, imagined that he might appease him with a sacrilege? "Does the Lord want sacrifices? Do not you rather ask to obey his voice?" (1 Sam. 15:22) God also says in Scripture, "I prefer mercy rather than sacrifice.” (Hos. 6:6) Now the Jews who were without righteousness and without mercy, believed that they might give themselves to God by sacrifices; This is what Christians still do today who, without taking any notice of justice, feel that their offerings make them worthy of praise and reward. The sacrifice made to God is a good thing, but on the condition that justice be observed and the mercy practiced; for we must exercise in regard to others what we ask for ourselves.