Did God command Israel to bring sacrifices yet later say He was full of them?
Yes. God had instructed Israel to bring sacrifices, burn incense, and observe new moons, Sabbaths, and assemblies. Yet in Isaiah 1 He says He is full of their sacrifices, calls them vain oblations, calls incense an abomination, and says He cannot away with their meetings and hates them.
Les teaches that Isaiah 1:11 begins with God asking, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me?" This seems contradictory because God had indeed instructed them to bring sacrifice. But He says, "I am full," meaning He has had enough. He does not delight in the blood of bullocks, lambs, or he-goats, and asks who required them to tread His courts, likely the temple complex. In verse 13 He says, "Bring no more vain oblations," though oblations were part of their sacrificial worship. He calls incense an abomination, even though they were instructed to burn it as a sweet smelling. Les points out they were still doing everything exactly according to the Book, yet God says He cannot away with the new moons, Sabbaths, calling of assemblies, and solemn meeting; His soul hates them. This is God speaking to the nation of Israel.
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
More Questions
Why does God say He is full of Israel's sacrifices in Isaiah 1:11 if He commanded them to sacrifice?
God Himself had instructed Israel to bring sacrifices, yet in Isaiah 1:11 He says He is full of them — meaning, as we would say today, 'I've had it.'