Jeremiah 7:22–23: How does God denying He commanded sacrifices align with earlier laws in Leviticus that clearly mandate offerings?

Jeremiah 7:22–23 in Context

Jeremiah 7:22–23 reads, “For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to them or command them concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them: ‘Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you.’” At first glance, this passage seems to contradict earlier instructions in Leviticus that mandate various types of offerings. Examining the historical setting, the literary style of Jeremiah, and the larger context of Scripture helps clarify why there is no true contradiction.

I. Understanding the Historical Context

When Jeremiah delivered this oracle, the people of Judah were placing more trust in their religious rituals—especially temple sacrifices—than in genuine obedience to God. Jeremiah 7 is set in the early reign of King Jehoiakim, just before the Babylonian invasion (late 7th century BC). Judah’s leaders and people had fallen into the misconception that performing external rites could protect them, even while ignoring God’s moral and covenantal commands.

The prophet’s words in Jeremiah 7 must be understood as a rhetorical challenge intended to shake the people out of their complacency. They had temple worship, offerings, and religious festivals, yet they practiced idolatry (Jeremiah 7:18) and mistreated the vulnerable (Jeremiah 7:5–6). The emphasis in Jeremiah is on the heart’s disposition toward God rather than mere external rites.

II. A Closer Look at the Language in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 7:22 employs strong, hyperbolic language: “I did not speak to them or command them concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices.” This does not literally mean God never instituted offerings. Rather, it highlights God’s core desire for wholehearted obedience from His people. Hebrew prophets often used forceful turns of phrase to show the emptiness of rituals unaccompanied by obedience (1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6).

In the immediate context, Jeremiah 7:23 explicitly states what God’s main aim was: “Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people.” The focus is on covenant loyalty. The sacrificial system always served to uphold the covenant, never to replace actual submission of heart and will to the commandments.

III. Alignment with Levitical Sacrifices

Leviticus details multiple offerings—burnt offerings (Leviticus 1), grain offerings (Leviticus 2), peace offerings (Leviticus 3), sin offerings (Leviticus 4), and guilt offerings (Leviticus 5). These sacrifices were indeed commanded by God. However, they were never meant to stand alone as substitutes for an obedient life. They provided a way for sinners to approach a holy God and be restored to fellowship with Him, but only when accompanied by sincere repentance and faith (Leviticus 5:5, 5:17–18).

In Exodus 19:5, well before the Levitical mandates were spelled out, God said, “Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations.” This covenantal call to obedience preceded the sacrificial system in explicit form. Jeremiah’s emphasis thus reaffirms the priority: God first asked for devotion, and then He gave a sacrificial system to address transgressions and foster ongoing relationship.

IV. Addressing the Apparent Contradiction

1. Rhetorical Emphasis: Jeremiah’s statement is intentionally striking. Prophets frequently used strong declarations to emphasize Israel’s failure to keep the covenant. By saying “I did not speak … about sacrifices,” Jeremiah underlines that sacrifices void of heartfelt obedience miss God’s true intention.

2. Priority of the Covenant Relationship: From the Exodus onward (Exodus 20, then detailed in Leviticus), God’s heart has been to have a people who love, trust, and obey Him. The laws on sacrifice are genuinely given, but they must never supersede the weightier matter of obedience. Jeremiah’s words echo well-known passages such as 1 Samuel 15:22, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice…”

3. Progression of Revelation: The sacrificial system revealed God’s holiness and His provision for atonement. Yet as the story of Israel continued, prophets like Jeremiah exposed the people’s hypocrisy when they offered sacrifices yet persisted in idolatry and injustice. The call is to align outward worship with inward devotion.

V. Scriptural Parallels to Jeremiah’s Approach

Numerous passages echo Jeremiah’s theme:

- Hosea 6:6: “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

- Psalm 51:16–17: “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…”

In each case, the point is not that sacrifices were worthless or wrongly commanded, but that a contrite, obedient heart is essential. Once the heart is right, offerings serve as an acceptable expression of worship and atonement.

VI. Archaeological and Textual Corroboration

Archaeological studies, including those of ancient altars and cultic sites, confirm that Israel maintained a robust sacrificial system. Discoveries in regions tied to ancient Israel, such as Arad and Lachish, underscore the historicity of the practices found in Leviticus. Likewise, the Dead Sea Scrolls preserve Jeremiah’s text with remarkable accuracy, lending support to the notion that this rhetorical style was part of Jeremiah’s authentic voice. All of this evidence reinforces that Jeremiah 7:22–23 stands in continuity with the rest of Scripture rather than contradicting it.

VII. Key Takeaways for Understanding Jeremiah 7:22–23

1. Heart Over Ritual: The prophet’s critique in Jeremiah underscores that external forms of worship—though commanded—are spiritually null if not founded upon genuine obedience and trust in God.

2. Consistent Biblical Theme: From Genesis through the Prophets, God’s priority has always been relationship, faith, and loyalty. Sacrifices are a component of Israel’s bond with God but cannot replace qualitative devotion.

3. No True Contradiction: Jeremiah’s words supplement rather than negate Levitical directives. The forceful rhetorical style aims to dismantle superficial religion, not uproot divinely instituted offerings.

4. Practical Implication: Believers today are reminded to let religious observances flow from a sincere heart of love for God. This is entirely in keeping with the commands found in the Law of Moses.

Conclusion

Jeremiah 7:22–23 does not refute the sacrificial commands of Leviticus; rather, it highlights the foremost divine requirement: wholehearted obedience. The Levitical sacrifices were always intended to point Israel’s heart toward humble reliance on God. Without that humility and commitment, sacrifices become an empty gesture, as the prophets repeatedly warned. Thus, Jeremiah’s bold wording fits squarely within the broader biblical message: God desires obedience and genuine relationship, and the sacrificial system serves that end rather than existing as a standalone ritual.