I desire knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. What does knowledge of something entail? Most often, we take knowledge to be purely theoretical and cognitive. We tend to limit knowledge to the sphere of the intellect and the mind. However, nothing can be further from the truth. Knowledge must also be practical in the sense that it must be expressed in my being, that is, in my actions, attitudes and behaviors. The sons and daughters of Israel prided themselves in the knowledge of the one, true God. They prided themselves in the fact that God had chosen them as the sole recipients of God’s revelation. They prided themselves in the fact that it was only to them that God gave the law as an avenue through which God can be known (cf.  Deuteronomy 4:6b-8). However, the sons and daughters of Israel limited their knowledge of God and the law to the theoretical sphere. Yes, they could recite all the laws and statutes that the Lord had given them. Yes, they could remember to the finest details all the sacrificial requirements that they had to observe before making an offering. Yet, they fell short of doing what their knowledge of God and the law required of them. Their knowledge of God and the law in which they took pride was not reflected in the manner of life that they were leading.
To know the law means living out the requirements of the law. To know God translates to doing as God does. Knowledge of God means identifying oneself with God. To come to the knowledge of God as just, loving unconditionally and patient implies that one has to ingrain in the self such qualities of God. Practicing justice, unconditional love, kindness, and charity is enough proof that one has come to the knowledge of God. Such is the knowledge of God that occupies the first place over and against knowing the most elaborate details of how to offer a sacrifice.