Obedience Better Than Sacrifice

The Lord who hears from the pit also sees what men do on the earth. In the judgments given through Moses, nothing is treated as small: a servant’s freedom, a neighbor’s loss, a dangerous pit left uncovered, money lent without mercy, the weak harmed by the strong. God’s righteousness is not smoke from an altar while hands remain unjust. As Irenaeus says, “burnt-offerings also for sin Thou hast not required.” He thus teaches them that God desires obedience, which renders them secure, rather than sacrifices and holocausts, which avail them nothing towards righteousness;”

This comes to its fullness in the Passion. The crowd cries against the Just One; the soldiers divide His garments; yet the obedient Christ does not turn aside. He is the true worshiper, doing the Father’s will when others keep forms and murder mercy. Tatian writes, “They all cried out and said, Crucify him.” The same world that neglects the poor, exploits a brother, and excuses its own violence will also reject the Lord of glory.

Therefore Psalm 40 is not a song for the lips only. To be drawn from the mire is to be set on the road of obedience. Isaiah joins this hope to courage: fear not, for the Holy One upholds His servant and shames idols. So let no man bow to gain, appetite, or human praise. Cover the pit you have made. Restore what you have taken. Lend without hardness. Wait patiently for the Lord, and while you wait, do what is just. Christ was crucified outside the gate; let His people be known there also, in costly righteousness, steady under accusation, clean in their dealings, and ready to suffer rather than sin.