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RESURRECTION.
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above, yet has Isaiab not done with the subject, and says towards the end of the book named after him. (LXVI. 3):
"He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man, he that sacrificeth 2 lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck : he that offereth an oblation, as if be offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations."
No less emphatic is the language used by Jehovah. when he spoke through the mouth of Hosea :
“I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than the burnt offerings."-(Hosea, VI. 6.)
Jeremiah also proclaims the word of the Lord in unmistakable terms :
"To what purpose cometh there to me incense fron Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not icceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me."--(Jer. VI. 20).
Yet, again, is Hosea told (Hos. VIII. 13.): “They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it, but the Lord accepteth them not : now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt (bondage)."
Through Amos we have it :"I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings, and your meat offerings, I will not accept them : neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts."-(Amos. V. 21 & 22.)
There can, thus, be little doubt that when Moses enjoined sacrifices he did not mean the slaughter of defenceless, innocent animals ; for were it so, these expressions of abhorrence and disgust, on the part of the Lord, would be meaningless, and he would not have further declared :
Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh. For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings.
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