5:21 The Israelites enjoyed participating in the religious festivals and assemblies in which they professed to worship Yahweh. God had commanded the Israelites to observe several feasts and one fast each year, and these are probably the festivals in view.50Yahweh hated the Israelites' worship assemblies, however, because the people were not worshipping Him from their hearts (cf. v. 15). They were only going through the motions of worship. The repetition of "I hate,""I reject,"and "Nor do I delight,"stresses how much He detested this type of worship.51
5:22 Burnt and grain (meal) offerings were voluntary and expressed the worshipper's personal dedication to Yahweh and the dedication of his or her works to the Lord (Lev. 1-2). Peace offerings were also voluntary and expressed appreciation for the fellowship that God had made possible for His redeemed people with Himself and with one another (Lev. 3). All three of these offerings were sweet-smelling to the Lord and were primarily offerings of worship rather than offerings to secure atonement for sins committed. These three offerings also represent all the worship offerings in another sense. The burnt offering was totally consumed on the altar. The grain offering was partly burned up and partly eaten by the offerer. And the offerer, the priest, and God shared the peace offering. God said He would not accept (lit. smell) or take any notice of any of these offerings, which represent all the others (cf. 4:4-5). In verses 21 and 22 the plural pronouns "you"and "your"appear indicating that God was addressing the whole nation.
