Isaiah 43:23

KJV

Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast not brought {H935} me the small cattle {H7716} of thy burnt offerings {H5930}; neither hast thou honoured {H3513} me with thy sacrifices {H2077}. I have not caused thee to serve {H5647} with an offering {H4503}, nor wearied {H3021} thee with incense {H3828}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You have not brought me sheep for your burnt offerings, you have not honored me with your sacrifices. I didn't burden you by requiring grain offerings. or weary you by demanding frankincense.

Berean Standard Bible

You have not brought Me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense.

American Standard Version

Thou hast not brought me of thy sheep for burnt-offerings; neither hast thou honored me with thy sacrifices. I have not burdened thee with offerings, nor wearied thee with frankincense.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 43:23 presents God's poignant rebuke of Israel, highlighting their spiritual apathy and neglect of covenantal worship. The Lord confronts them for failing to offer the prescribed burnt offerings and sacrifices, thereby withholding the honor due to Him. He clarifies that these divine requirements were never burdensome or exhaustive, but rather a means for His people to express their devotion, underscoring that their failure stemmed from an internal spiritual indifference rather than an external oppressive demand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of Isaiah (chapters 40-48) often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or the "Second Isaiah." While these chapters primarily offer profound messages of hope, restoration, and deliverance for Israel from Babylonian exile, they are interspersed with sharp rebukes for the nation's idolatry and unfaithfulness. Immediately preceding this verse, God reaffirms His unique identity as the only Savior and Redeemer ([Isaiah 43:11](/isaiah/43-11 "Isaiah 43:11 - God as the Only Savior")), emphasizing His unwavering commitment to His covenant people despite their failings. The accusation in [Isaiah 43:23](/isaiah/43-23 "Isaiah 43:23 - Israel's Neglect of Worship") serves as a stark contrast to God's steadfast love and gracious promises, revealing the depth of Israel's spiritual decline even in the face of divine faithfulness. It sets the stage for God to declare His ultimate act of forgiveness and blotting out of transgressions in [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - God's Forgiveness").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Isaiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history (8th century BCE), spanning the reigns of several kings, including Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. While the immediate context of Isaiah 43 points to the future Babylonian exile and subsequent return, the spiritual decline described in verse 23 reflects a long-standing pattern of unfaithfulness prevalent throughout Israel's history. The Mosaic Covenant, established at Sinai, mandated a detailed system of sacrifices and offerings as central to Israel's worship and relationship with God. These rituals, including burnt offerings (`ʻôlâh`) and various sacrifices (`zebach`), were not merely ceremonial but were intended to be expressions of devotion, atonement, thanksgiving, and honor. The "small cattle" (`seh`) referred to were common sacrificial animals (sheep or goats). The practice of burning incense (`lᵉbôwnâh`, frankincense) was also a significant part of the tabernacle and temple worship, symbolizing prayer and devotion ascending to God. Israel's failure to consistently perform these acts, as accused by God, indicated a deep-seated spiritual malaise and a departure from the covenant stipulations that defined their identity as God's chosen people.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness**, contrasting God's unwavering commitment to His promises with Israel's consistent failure to uphold their end of the covenant, particularly in their worship. It underscores the theme of **True Worship vs. Mere Ritualism**, emphasizing that God desires genuine honor and devotion, not just perfunctory adherence to religious rites. The accusation of not honoring God with sacrifices points to a profound **Spiritual Apathy and Neglect** that permeated the nation, indicating a lack of heartfelt reverence for their Deliverer. Furthermore, the verse subtly touches upon the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Justice**, as He, the Holy One of Israel, justly rebukes His people for their spiritual negligence, yet simultaneously affirms that His commands were never burdensome, thereby defending His own character against any implied accusation of harshness. This sets the stage for the ultimate display of His grace in forgiveness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Honoured (Hebrew, _kâbad'_):** This word, derived from a primitive root meaning "to be heavy" or "weighty," carries significant theological weight. When applied to honoring God, it implies acknowledging His inherent worth, glory, and significance, giving Him the "weight" of respect and reverence He deserves. Israel's failure to "honor" God with sacrifices meant they were not attributing to Him the full measure of His importance, treating Him lightly or as inconsequential.
* **Sacrifices (Hebrew, _zebach'_):** From the root `zâbach` (to slaughter), this term broadly refers to animal offerings, encompassing various types of sacrifices that involved the shedding of blood. In this context, it signifies the comprehensive failure of Israel to engage in the divinely instituted system of ritual worship, which was designed to express their devotion, seek atonement, and maintain their covenant relationship with God.
* **Wearied (Hebrew, _yâgaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to gasp," "to be exhausted," or "to toil." In the second part of the verse, God uses this term to assert that He did not burden or exhaust His people with excessive demands for offerings or incense. The implication is that the problem was not with the divine commands being too arduous, but with Israel's own spiritual unwillingness and lack of genuine desire to obey and worship Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings;":** This clause directly accuses Israel of neglecting the fundamental acts of worship prescribed by the Mosaic Law. "Small cattle" (`seh`) refers to sheep or goats, commonly used for `ʻôlâh` (burnt offerings), which symbolized complete dedication and atonement. Their failure to bring these offerings was a visible manifestation of their spiritual indifference and disobedience.
* **"neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices.":** This expands on the previous accusation, revealing the deeper spiritual issue behind the neglected rituals. The absence of sacrifices was not just a procedural oversight but a profound failure to "honor" God. True worship is an act of acknowledging God's supreme worth and giving Him the reverence due His name. Their omission demonstrated a lack of respect and a failure to glorify Him.
* **"I have not caused thee to serve with an offering,":** Here, God defends His character and the nature of His commands. He asserts that He did not impose burdensome or oppressive requirements (`minchâh`, a general term for offering, often bloodless) upon them. The implication is that His demands were reasonable and for their good, not designed to enslave or exhaust them.
* **"nor wearied thee with incense.":** This final clause reiterates God's defense, specifically mentioning `lᵉbôwnâh` (frankincense), which was a costly and significant component of temple worship. God emphasizes that He did not "weary" them with the expense or effort required for such offerings. The problem was not the divine expectation, but Israel's spiritual apathy and unwillingness to engage in genuine worship.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 43:23 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident as God speaks of being "honoured" or "wearied," attributing human emotions and experiences to Himself to make His disappointment and the nature of Israel's offense relatable. This device underscores the personal nature of the covenant relationship and the gravity of Israel's spiritual neglect. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, setting God's reasonable and non-burdensome demands against Israel's neglect and lack of honor. This highlights the disparity between divine faithfulness and human unfaithfulness. Furthermore, there is an element of **Rhetorical Question** or implied accusation, where God, through declarative statements of what Israel *has not* done, forces a confrontation with their spiritual reality. The specific mention of "small cattle," "burnt offerings," "sacrifices," and "incense" serves as **Metonymy**, where these ritual elements stand in for the entire system of covenant worship and the spiritual devotion it was meant to represent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 43:23 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true worship and the consequences of spiritual apathy. It underscores that God desires not merely outward ritualistic observance, but genuine honor, devotion, and a heart responsive to His covenant. The failure to bring offerings was not just a procedural lapse but a symptom of a deeper spiritual malaise—a lack of reverence for the God who had delivered and sustained them. This passage highlights the enduring principle that God's commands are for our good and His glory, and our reluctance to obey stems from our own spiritual condition, not from His perceived harshness. It foreshadows the New Covenant emphasis on inward transformation over outward ceremony, setting the stage for a worship that is "in spirit and truth."

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Psalm 51:16-17](/psalms/51-16-17 "Psalm 51:16-17 - God Desires a Broken Spirit, Not Sacrifice")
* [Malachi 1:6-8](/malachi/1-6-8 "Malachi 1:6-8 - God Rebukes Corrupt Offerings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 43:23 challenges believers today to examine the sincerity and depth of their worship. While the Old Covenant system of animal sacrifices has been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles of honor, devotion, and genuine engagement with God remain eternally relevant. This verse prompts us to consider whether our acts of worship—be it prayer, praise, giving, service, or obedience—are truly expressions of heartfelt honor and reverence for God, or if they have become perfunctory, neglected, or even burdensome. God's assertion that He has not "wearied" us with His demands reminds us that the perceived "burden" of faith often lies in our own spiritual apathy or misplaced priorities, not in God's expectations. We are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, a spiritual act of worship that flows from a transformed heart, recognizing that true devotion is not about what God *demands* but what He *deserves* from a grateful and loving heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be withholding "honor" from God, similar to Israel's neglect of sacrifices?**
* **Do I sometimes view God's commands or expectations as burdensome, and if so, what might that reveal about my heart's posture towards Him?**
* **How can I cultivate a more genuine and heartfelt worship that goes beyond mere ritual or obligation?**
* **What does it mean for me, practically, to "honor" God with my life and resources in the context of the New Covenant?**

### FAQ
**Was God truly "wearied" or "burdened" by Israel's offerings, or was He simply expressing disappointment?**

Answer: God, in His divine nature, cannot be literally "wearied" or "burdened" in the human sense of exhaustion. The language used in [Isaiah 43:23](/isaiah/43-23 "Isaiah 43:23 - God's Rebuke of Israel") is an **anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics to God to convey His emotional response and the gravity of Israel's spiritual state. He is expressing profound disappointment and a just complaint, not physical fatigue. The phrase "I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense" is God's defense of His own character. He is clarifying that the problem was not His demands being excessive or burdensome, but Israel's spiritual apathy and unwillingness to offer genuine worship. He did not make their service an unbearable toil; rather, they failed to offer what was due, indicating their lack of true honor for Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 43:23, with its lament over Israel's failure to offer sacrifices and honor God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant system of "burnt offerings" and "sacrifices" was a shadow, pointing forward to the perfect and singular sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Israel's inability to consistently honor God through these rituals underscored the limitations of a system dependent on human obedience and animal blood. In contrast, Christ's perfect life and atoning death on the cross constitute the definitive and all-sufficient sacrifice, offered "once for all" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")). He perfectly honored the Father through His obedience, even to death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Now, under the New Covenant, believers are not called to bring "small cattle" or "incense" but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer "spiritual sacrifices" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Spiritual Sacrifices"))—lives of worship, praise, and service that are truly honoring to God. The "weariness" that Israel felt, or rather, the apathy that prevented them from offering, is overcome by the grace of Christ, who enables us to present our bodies as a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")). Through Christ, we can now genuinely honor God with a new heart and spirit, fulfilling the very devotion that Israel so often failed to provide.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 5:25

Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?

Zechariah 7:5

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh [month], even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me?

Zechariah 7:6

And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat [for yourselves], and drink [for yourselves]?

Amos 5:21

¶ I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.

Amos 5:22

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.

Proverbs 21:27

¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

Isaiah 66:3

He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he 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.