True Worship Versus Popular Religion

MEMORY VERSE: “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”—I Samuel 16:7

AMOS 4:4,5; 5:21-24; 8:4-7

THE memory verse of this lesson reminds us of a fundamental truth with respect to God’s viewpoint of his professed people, which is that his appraisal of them is not based on outward appearance, or upon outward displays of devotion to him, but upon their heart condition. We read, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”—II Chron. 16:9

But sincerity of heart is not enough, for the Lord expects his people humbly to accept the guidance in their service and worship which is provided by his law and Word. Instead of this, the people of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel had allowed themselves to be drawn away from Jehovah, and to worship golden calves. The leaders set up the headquarters for this false worship at Bethel, instead of at Zion, which was the center of worship for those who adhered to the Law of the true God.

Amos 4:4,5 is an ironical or sarcastic address to the idolatrous Israelites. The Lord is not admonishing them to do the things mentioned, but is indicating that since these are the things they were determined to do anyway, they might as well go right ahead. Let them offer their daily oblations to their idols, the Lord is saying. Let them offer their sacrifices of thanksgiving with leaven, instead of without leaven, as called for by the Law. Through the psalmist the Lord said, “My people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would [have] none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.”—Ps. 81:11,12

It was important to the Lord that no leaven be used in connection with sacrifices offered to him. Leaven is used in the Scriptures as a symbol of sin. The sacrifices which the Lord ordained for his people Israel were typical of the better sacrifices of the present age. During this age the Lord does not ask his people to offer animal sacrifices, but to offer themselves. Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”—Rom. 12:1

We are all unrighteous by nature and could not offer ourselves as a holy sacrifice except for the fact that our imperfections are covered by the robe of Christ’s righteousness. When we are so covered, our Heavenly Father looks upon us as though we were perfect. Thus, antitypically, we are able to offer a sacrifice without leaven.

As indicated in Amos 5:21-24, the Lord hated the sacrifices brought to him by the idolatrous Israelites. The language here would seem to indicate that in the temples belonging to the ten tribes they copied the manner of keeping the solemn feasts and presenting the sacrifices in use in the temple at Jerusalem. But the whole was so corrupted with idolatry, superstition, hypocrisy, and iniquity, that God utterly abhorred it and rejected it with disdain.

The rich and powerful in Israel were exceedingly addicted to injustice and cruel oppression, as well as being ringleaders in impiety and idolatry. This is indicated in chapter 8, verse 4 to 7. It seems that in the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel, although they had departed generally from God’s Law and were almost altogether idolators, trade and commerce were suspended on the special days observed at Jerusalem by those of the two-tribe kingdom, especially on sabbath days.

But this was irksome to these idol-worshipers, especially to the wealthy among them, who were covetous oppressors of the poor. In essence they said among themselves, When will this wearisome burden of religion be over? They longed to return to their selfish, worldly pursuits. They were impatient to sell their corn and other produce in order to increase their riches.

Besides, they were dishonest in their business dealings with their less fortunate brethren. They made “the ephah,” or bushel, too small, and thus cheated in the quantity of what they sold. They cheated also in a manner, to get more money for what they sold. This they did by the use of false weights. They also took advantage of their customers’ necessities, selling them the refuse of the wheat, which was scarcely fit for use. How low humans can stoop, even the professed people of God! No wonder such severe punishment came upon them.

QUESTIONS

How does God appraise the devotion of his professed people?

Is it enough to be sincere in our worship of God?

Explain the nature of the language used in Amos 4:4,5.

Why did God direct that no leaven be used in the offering of sacrifice?

How does the lesson emphasize the dishonesty of the rich Israelites?

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