The people began to religiously donate their sacrifices. Not out of a heart full of love and devotion, but out of duty and obligation. God knew their hearts and knew that their sacrifices were not offered from 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 get it! God would rather have their love than see them satisfied with themselves for following some religious rules or good deeds. God expresses through the prophet Micah what pleases him “What can we bring to the Lord? Should 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 firstborn to pay for our sins? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God..”