Why does God call incense an abomination in Isaiah 1:13 when He commanded it to be burned as a sweet smell?
God calls incense an abomination not because the ritual itself was wrong—He had commanded it as a sweet-smelling offering—but because Israel’s worship had become vain. They were still doing everything according to the Book, yet God was fed up and could not endure their ceremonies.
In Isaiah 1:11-13, God asks what purpose the multitude of sacrifices serves, says He is full, and declares He delights not in the blood of bullocks, lambs, or goats. He tells them to bring no more vain oblations and calls incense an abomination. They had been instructed to burn incense as a sweet-smelling offering, and they were still doing everything exactly according to the Book. Yet God says He cannot away with the new moons, Sabbaths, and assemblies; He is fed up and cannot stand to look at their solemn meetings and appointed feasts. Les explains that the problem was not the rituals themselves—God had instructed them—but their worship had become vain before Him. This is God speaking to the nation of Israel.
Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
More Questions
What were oblations in Isaiah 1:13?
Oblations in Isaiah 1:13 were part of the Israelites' sacrificial worship, and God told them to bring no more of them.
What were the vain oblations God told Israel to stop bringing in Isaiah 1:13?
The 'vain oblations' of Isaiah 1:13 were part of Israel's sacrificial worship, and God told them to bring no more because He had had enough of them.
What are the vain oblations in Isaiah 1:13?
The 'vain oblations' in Isaiah 1:13 were part of Israel's sacrificial worship, and God told them to bring no more because He had had it with them.