I grew up in a very conservative church, where memorizing Bible verses was a regular part of Sunday School, beginning about the time we could read. You might think that this practice (and the strict rules about everything) would result in good behavior, and it probably did take some rough edges off, but we were still kids.
My cousins belonged to the same church, and the seven of us were as close as siblings growing up. We played, and squabbled, and got in trouble together.
I remember sending my cousin a note during Sunday School (I remember because I got caught sending it). My note was simply a quotation from Psalm 50:9:
I will accept no bull from your house
I thought I was pretty funny as I sent it to my cousin. The teacher didn’t appreciate my irreverent use of the biblical text.
Probably a million 10-year-olds stumbled across that verse and took delight in quoting it to their friends. The old RSV was likewise filled with references to asses, which also caused plenty of giggles in Sunday School and some unauthorized quotations.
When God declares, “I will accept no bull from your house,” it is not spoken because God is fed up with the way people are stretching the truth. God is rejecting ritual sacrifices.
The gist of the Psalm is not that God is throwing out the whole section of Mosaic law that prescribes burnt offerings and animal sacrifice. Rather, God is saying that you can offer sacrifice until there are literally no more cows left to come home and still be far from God. God doesn’t need our religious performance. God is not impressed by our gold stars for perfect attendance at church or that this year will be the 23rd time we will have read through the New Testament.
God isn’t satisfied with just outwards acts of devotion. God wants our hearts and our hands – our lives offered in love of God and love of neighbor. The rest is just bull.
Prayer: You know I am so full of it. Help me as I seek to offer you all you really want – just me, no bull. Amen.