More than Sacrifice

From Proverbs 21:3...

To do righteousness and justice

Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.

In the Old Testament, righteousness and justice are often parallel, even synonymous. However, when paired together it suggests a distinction. Often, righteousness is explained as ‘doing what is right.’ Justice is explained as ‘fairness.’ Those are meaningful, but there is more. Consider the words of the prophet…

He has told you, O man, what is good

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God? 

--Micah 6:8

In the leading Proverb and in this verse, the focus is on doing justice. ‘Doing justice’ involves people. The way you treat people is the focus.

Did you notice righteousness in Micah 6:8? 

It’s there, just look, and ponder.

Micah’s question was presented to Israel by Moses many years earlier:

Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? 

--Deuteronomy 10:12-13

The words righteousness and justice do not appear, but the concepts are there.

Righteousness is about doing what is right, first in one’s relationship with God. That means that a person does what God expects. We are to fear God, that is, honor Him, revere Him, and stand in awe of Him. We are to obey God by listening to His revealed word and putting it into action in our lives. To do God’s will also means that we treat people properly, that is, according to God’s way. Think: The Second Great Command. Think: The Golden Rule.

Justice more specifically emphasizes our responsibility toward others. We must interact with people with fairness and equity.

Now, what about the sacrifices in today’s proverb?

Two specific sacrifices are noteworthy. First, consider the sin offering in the Law of Moses. It was an animal sacrifice that was offered as an appeal to God for forgiveness for a sin a person had committed.

Re-read the proverb. God desires righteousness and justice more than a sin offering (sacrifice). Can you see why?

If you were to live a life of righteousness and justice, you would honor God and treat your fellow man as God desires. So there would be no need for a sin offering! God would rather that you live a life free of sin, a life of righteousness and justice, than committing sin and needing to beg God’s forgiveness.

Another animal sacrifice was the peace offering, a sacrifice offered to show gratitude to God. It is naturally considered worship. Looking back to the proverb...God desires righteousness and justice more. That is not to say that He is not interested in our worship. Rather, Jesus said it well to the Pharisees:

You tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

--Matthew 23:23

James wrote that pure religion is to take care of orphans and widows and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27) Go back and read that verse in its entirety. You’ll see it—righteousness and justice, more desired by God than sacrifice. 

God isn't trying to make us religious. He is trying to make us to be like Him.

Let’s give God ALL that He desires of us.


Mark Stinnett

December 21, 2025