Jeremiah 6:20 To what purpose comes there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable… I. THE MANIFEST FAILURE OF THESE JEWISH OFFERINGS. 1. By these their consecration was to be furthered. But they were foul. 2. By these their repentance was to be awakened. But they sinned shamefully. 3. By these their minds were to be directed to the Messiah. But, in their arrogance and care for mere externals, they lost sight of spiritual lessons. 4. By these God was to be pleased and propitiated. The text indicates their complete miscarriage in this respect. II. THE INDIGNANT QUESTION AND REPUDIATION. 1. God thrusts from Himself the offensive temple offerings. He demands the heart. Nothing is sweet to God without love. 2. God stigmatises them as purposeless and waste. 3. Worship that offends God is waste, but also something more. Heart hardening. Judgment. Punishment.Lessons — 1. The most important matter about our spiritual things is their acceptableness with God. 2. Our best energies are needed, not for externals, but internals. (W. B. Haynes.) Parallel Verses KJV: To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me. |
    |