Despise to Feast Days Amos 5:21

Amos the “herdsman” prophet continued to share the judgment that was to come upon the people of Israel because of their rejection of the LORD and His ways. They were deceived in believing “the day of the LORD” would be prosperous for them, but it would rather be “destructive and filled with gloom”. It would be “dark”, “even very dark” with “no brightness in it”. In chapter five and verse twenty-one of his prophesy, Amos shared how the LORD “hates” and “despises” Israel's “feast days” and “solemn assemblies” where we read:

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.

The verse begins, “I hate, I despise your feast days,...” Amos began with the words, “I hate” which means “The LORD sees utterly odious or as an enemy or foe”, “I despise” or “the LORD rejects, refuses, abhors and disdains” “your feast days” which refers to “Israel's festivals of sacrifice and solemnity”. Amos relayed God's message that He “hated” and “despised” their special “festivals of sacrifice”.

The verse goes on to say, “...and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.” Amos continued, “and I will not smell” or “perceive or accept the odor ” “in your solemn assemblies” or “their sacred or festive meetings, assemblages, companies and groups ”. The LORD was so opposed to the people of Israel's “spiritual sacrifices”, He promised not even to take in the “odor” of them.

When we think through these words of Amos, we perceive the extent the LORD refuted the behavior of the people of Israel. Their “sacrifices” were repugnant to God, and He “hated and despised” them. The LORD didn't even want to “smell” the odor of their offerings. When people reject the LORD and His ways, no amount of worship or good deeds will compensate for it. As the prophet Samuel questioned King Saul, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). Jesus Christ, God's Son, was given to mankind for the redemption of their sins, and when He is rejected, no “feast” or “solemn assembly” will ever replace the receiving of Him.

Next time Amos shares how God will not “accept” Israel's “burnt offerings” or “meat offerings”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.