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The line you're quoting "I desire mercy not sacrifice" does not mean what you think it means. Sacrifice in that context is essentially apologizing for sinning.
by tertius 10y ago
The line you're quoting "I desire mercy not sacrifice" does not mean what you think it means.
Sacrifice in that context is essentially apologizing for sinning. Not giving something up so that you gain something else. Unless you count giving up sin to gain something...
It's not a good thing.
The sister verse to that is "To obey is better than sacrifice".
To your point, sacrificing self-indulgence is really sacrificing addiction. Rather do something productive and worthwhile. And that may be quality time with your family or helping a non-profit etc.
- vivekd 10y agoThe verse was used twice, once in Hosea 6 and the other in Matthew 9. Hosea 6 clearly refers to burnt sacrificial offerings like killing animals. consider the full context: "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." Matthew 9:13 just quotes the verse in Hosea and talks more about loving others and being merciful to those who are sinning: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Apologizing for sinning (ie. repentence) remains an essential part of Christian doctrine and the bible
- tertius 10y agoI didn't assume Christianity or Judaism on your part. Though, it's less likely for a Jew to mistake sacrifice (for atonement) to forgoing things to be able to do other things. But "sacrificing things" to work harder is still not the context of either. I don't really understand the reason for your reply.