Knowledge of God

"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

(Hosea 6:6)

The phrase “burnt offering” comes from the Hebrew word, “olah”. Its literal translation means, “ascent, stairway, steps”. It is the word in which holocaust (going up in smoke) is derived.

The burnt offering was the most common of all offerings. Anyone, including non-Jews could participate. It was a sacrifice of general atonement to restore the relationship between man and God. All but the skin of the animal was placed on the alter. The smoke that arose from the offering was “a soothing aroma to the Lord” (Leviticus 1:9).

Here in the Book of Hosea we learn that God prefers the knowledge of Him more than the most common and inclusive sacrifice to Him. There is nothing we can give or do that God would prefer more other than to know Him. This is important to understand for those caught up in the works and deeds mindset.

Earlier in Hosea we learned, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hosea 4:6).

This message of knowledge is repeated throughout the wisdom books of the Old Testament.

“But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.” (Job 36:12)

“He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray” (Proverbs 5:23).

“The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom” (Proverbs 10:21).

God wants us all to gain discernment, understanding, and wisdom of Him. This is a process, an ongoing process of our life and living. We never “arrive” nor are their levels of attainment or achievement, for that is causation of pride.

God also “desired mercy, and not sacrifice”. Once again, sacrifice (works and deeds) is supplanted by something else. Mercy instead of sacrifice, why?

Mercy means forgiveness. Mercy and forgiveness involve two people. One, the sinner, the other, much more divine, the mercy giver, the one who has been wronged.  

The one who offers mercy causes sin to stop. He also causes the effect of sin to never happen.

Sin and mercy are acts. They set into motion either unrighteousness or righteousness. If left unchecked the sin or righteousness will touch all that’s around them, transferring their natures to whatever and whomever they touch. This cause and effect of touch and transfer of either sin or righteous natures grows into an ever-expanding sphere of influence. If left unchecked, sin grows. If left unchecked, righteousness grows. This is where the mercy giver steps in. They stop the sin dead in its tracks with righteousness when they show mercy. Now instead of sin growing, righteousness grows and expands.

God doesn’t want your sacrifice; He wants your mercy. God’s not concerned with your burnt offerings, which can be done mindlessly, mechanically, and without thought or spirit. God wants you to know Him, because with knowledge of God comes knowledge of self and your fellow man. With knowledge of God comes tranquility of soul, peace, love, patience, and discernment. With knowledge of God comes life and eternity.

Sacrifices and burnt offerings, regardless of the actual shape or form they come in, are a one to one proposition. Both involve only you and God. Mercy and knowledge of God involves other people. This is why it’s so important to God.

Bill Hitchcock