People began to offer their sacrifices religiously. Not out of love and devotion, but out of duty and obligation. God knew their hearts and knew that their sacrifices were not offered with a contrite heart. They thought they could buy God's forgiveness with their wealth, or that they could offer sacrifices that were not acceptable in God's eyes. They just didn't understand! God would rather have their love than make them self-satisfied for following certain religious rules or good deeds. God expresses through the prophet Micah what pleases him “What can we bring to the Lord? Shall we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborns to pay for our sins? No, O people, the LORD has spoken to you what is good, and this is what he requires of you, that you do what is right, and love mercy, and walk humbly with your God...”