For the Israelites, sacrifice was the portion given up from their own possessions as an offering to God. It was commanded as an atonement for sin, however inadequate, but it highlighted their sinful state before God and their need for His forgiveness.

That awareness of sin should bring a response of quiet humility before God, and a desire to turn from our fallen human ways and to follow in the path God has prepared for us. This requires a willingness to know God’s will for us, an eagerness to listen for His guidance rather than telling Him what we believe.

So, this verse applies just as much to us today, perhaps more so when we see some of the directions of worship today.

One example is the trend of worshiptainment, pioneered by Robert Schuller in his crystal cathedral, but now taken to extremes in sensational stage productions. It fills the mind with superficial distractions and removes any opportunity for deep reflection or seeking to know God’s will. Instead, it makes people comfortable with their existing attitudes, and it is really about self-justification.

Another example is with the deconstructionist approach to the bible, where we change its meaning to suit the trendy myths of our age. I searched for, but couldn’t find, a YouTube video I saw about a year ago, where a female pastor from a mainstream church in Canada preached that in Genesis 3 God was wrong and Eve was right when she brought her contribution of women’s wisdom to mankind. But I did find one where another female pastor preached that God lied to Adam and Eve!

The evil aspect of coming to God fully confident that we already know what we need to know, is that we become set in our fallen human condition, in our sinful state, so we condemn ourselves.

May God give us a quiet tongue, ears that are eager to hear and know His will, and hearts that are willing to obey. Amen