Rejected Songs and Melodies Amos 5:23

Amos the prophet continued to share the LORD's rejection of any “offering” the people of Israel brought to Him. Because of their insubordination and rebellion, no amount of “burnt, meal or peace offerings” were going to restore their relationship with Him. In chapter five and verse twenty-three of his prophesy, Amos shared how the LORD would reject their “songs” and “melodies” where we read:

Take away from me the noise of your songs; for I will not hear the melody of your viols.

The verse begins, “Take away from me the noise of your songs;” Amos began with the words, “Take away” or “turn aside, depart and remove” “from me” which refers to “the LORD” “the noise” which means “the murmuring, roaring, sounds, tumults, confusion and great numbers” “of your songs” or “the people of Israel's singing and music”. The LORD told the people of Israel not to “sing or play music” that was to be in honor of Him.

The verse goes on to say, “for I will not hear the melody of your viols.” Amos continued, “for I will not hear” which means “the LORD will not harken to or listen to” “the melody” or “the music or psalms accompanied by instruments” “of your viols” which means “skin bags or bottles, pitchers, harps, lutes, guitars or musical instruments”. The LORD declared He would not “listen or harken to” their music that was accompanied by musical instruments.

When we think through these words of Amos, we see the determination of the LORD to “turn aside” from any form of music the people of Israel offered Him. The LORD did not desire “worship” that was from “rebellious” and “obstinate” hearts. Though the outward appearance of the people of Israel may have looked “religious”, their hearts were far from a relationship with God. Jesus said of the religious leaders of His day, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness”. (Matthew 23:27), and He came to save people from their pretentious ways to have a true relationship with God the Father. Lest we be as those who find their “songs” and “melodies” of worship rejected by God, let us stand before Him with nothing more than the appeal, “Jesus saved my wicked soul”.

Next time Amos shares about “judgment” and “righteousness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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