The Everlasting Covenant

True Sacrifice

The prophet king, from a heart melted to contrition by the mercy of God, wrote: “Thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it; thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” ² Through Hosea the Lord, said: “I desired mercy and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” ³ Instead of the offering of fat beasts, the Lord desired that the people should “let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” ⁵ Recall the chapter on drinking in the righteousness of God. God’s people make a covenant with Him by sacrifice, and this sacrifice is that of Christ, which God Himself provides. EVCO 349.1

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous.” ⁶ He did not obtain righteousness by the sacrifice of the firstlings of the clock, but by the faith which prompted the offering. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ⁷ “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” ⁸ And so it was from the beginning; for “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness,” and the same is affirmed of Enoch and Noah and all the patriarchs and prophets. EVCO 349.2