“Yet with a contrite heart,
With a humble spirit,
May we be accepted,
As though it were
With burnt offerings
Of rams,
Of bulls,
With tens of thousands
Of fat lambs!
Such may our sacrifice be
In your sight,
Today!
May we unreservedly
Follow you!
No shame
Will come
To those
Who trust in you!”
Thus, Azariah pointed out that their religion must become more spiritual than cultic, without a Temple to offer sacrifices. With a contrite heart and humble spirit, Azariah asked that his attitude might take the place of the cultic burnt offerings of rams, bulls, and lambs. He wanted his attitude to be the equivalent of ritual sacrifices. He did not want shame to come to those who trusted in God and followed his commandments. This is a clear movement away from the ritual temple worship.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 