In the midst of
his pronouncing judgment upon the people of Israel for their
rejection of the LORD and His ways, Amos began to share how God would
“hate and despise” their “feast days” and “not
smell in” their “solemn assemblies”. Though they had
a form of worship, their disobedience superseded their worship. In
chapter five and verse twenty-two of his prophesy, Amos continued to
share God's rejection of their adoration as He reject their “burnt,
meat” and “peace offerings” where we read:
neither
will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
The
verse begins, “Though you offer me
burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them:”
Amos began
with the words, “Though you offer me”
or “although the people of Israel would ascend, meet with, visit,
spring forth, grow and shoot forth to God” “burnt
offerings” which
means “smoking sacrifices laid upon the altar”
“and your meat offerings”
which means “grain tribute, gifts, presents and donations”, “I
will not accept them”
or “God would not be pleased with, accept or be satisfied with
them”. Even though the people of Israel would continue to “offer”
their “burnt and meat offerings”,
the LORD would reject them for their insubordination.
The
verse continues, “neither will I regard the peace
offerings of your fat beasts.” Amos
added, “neither will I regard”
or “the LORD would not pay attention to, consider, look upon, show
favor to or care for” “the peace offerings”
or “the voluntary sacrifices of requital, alliance and friendship
of God” “of your fat beasts”
which refers to “the well-fed, domineering, stall fed and beeves
which were fat cattle ”. Not even the sacred “offerings”
which were meant to invoke “peace”
with God would be accepted by Him.
When
we consider these words of Amos, we understand the extent to which
the LORD desires “obedience” rather than “sacrifice”.
Though Israel would continue with their ritualistic religious
practices, as honorable as they may have seemed, God would not
“accept” any of them. There was no religious practice that
was sufficient to replace “obedience” and “listening”
to God. Jesus Christ said He was the only way to “come to the
Father”, and only by a relationship with Him will anyone have
access to God. Those who practice religious activities may be
deceived by their spiritual functions, and though they believe
themselves in relationship with God, He may reject them just as He
did Israel. Let us take note of the manner in which Israel continued
their “worship” only to find they were honoring God in
vain.
Next
time Amos shares how God will “reject”
Israel's “songs”
and “melodies”,
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.
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