Exodus 8:27 vs. Jeremiah 7:22

Did God Command Burnt Offerings?

In Jeremiah 7, it states: "For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices," (Jeremiah 7:22 ESV). This verse is rather confusing, as God did indeed command burnt offerings (Exodus 8:27; Exodus 10:25; etc.).

To answer this question, it is helpful to look at the original Hebrew. The word for "in the day" is "בְּי֛וֹם". This is a singular word with a definite article (i.e. the word the, but in this instance, "in the"). This signifies Jeremiah is speaking about that very day he brought them out of Egypt, not just in general. The next verse says: "But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you," (Jeremiah 7:23 ESV). The Israelites again are disobeying God. "The children gather wood, the fathers kindle fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven. And they pour out drink offerings to other gods, to provoke me to anger," (Jeremiah 7:18 ESV). They are making cakes for the queen of heaven, i.e., a ritual towards a pagan god (Barnes; Cambridge; Ellicott). God wants his people to obey him, not merely to perform rituals.

Thus there is no contradiction as in Jeremiah 7, God was speaking prior to the establishment of the sacrificial system.

References:

Barnes' Notes on the New Testament. United Kingdom, Kregel Publications, 1962.

Ellicott's Bible Commentary, Volume 1. N.p., Delmarva Publications, Inc., 2015.

ESV Study Bible. United States, Crossway, 2008.

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The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. United Kingdom, The University Press, 1905.