Amos 4 (2)

Pray Psalm 115.4-8.
Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.
They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see;
They have ears, but they do not hear;
Noses they have, but they do not smell;
They have hands, but they do not handle;
Feet they have, but they do not walk;
Nor do they mutter through their throat.
Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.

Sing Psalm 115.4-8.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Idols made by men’s own hand—ever to Your Name be glory—
see nor hear nor understand: Ever to Your Name be glory!
They neither feel nor walk, nor can they speak or talk;
all those who serve them fall: But unto Your Name be glory!

Read Amos 4.1-5; meditate on verses 4, 5.

Preparation
1. What did the people of Israel do at Bethel and Gilgal?

2. What did they love?

Meditation
Jeroboam I encouraged the people of Israel, whom he had led in a breakaway rebellion, to embrace a religion of convenience: “Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, ‘It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!’ And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Now this thing became a sin…” (1 Kgs. 12.28-30).

Religion shouldn’t be hard. It should fit our schedules, match our stride, and demand no more of us than we can conveniently enjoy. Jeroboam I banked on this with the people of Israel, and he got it right. But all who heeded his encouragement got it tragically wrong. What began at Dan and Bethel as shrines, feasts, priests from every tribe, and convenient sacrifices degenerated, over time, to wantonness, sex in the name of religion, and child sacrifice. And the people loved it (v. 5). All to appease and enjoy false deities made by their own hands. Those altars became sin attractors, encouraging and justifying the wickedness of Israel.

Over time, Gilgal replaced Dan as a center of worship. Instead of places to reinforce the fear and love of God, these pagan religious sites became places where the people of Israel did what they loved in the name of religion.

And God hates this. Religion of convenience, religion for its own sake, religion for the fun of it. Better watch out.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Religion to boost one’s own standing and self-esteem is another way to misuse worship.

God’s words through Amos were echoed by Jesus: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them…And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men…” (Matt. 6.1, 5).

“…you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God” (Lk. 11.42).

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’” (Lk. 18.10-13).

“For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matt. 23.27).

“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (Jn. 12.42, 43).

“‘Come to Bethel and transgress,
at Gilgal multiply transgression;
bring your sacrifices every morning,
your tithe every three days.
Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven,
proclaim and announce the freewill offerings; for this you love, you children of Israel!’
says the Lord GOD” (Amos 4.4, 5).

“Therefore the LORD said:
‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips,
but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men’” (Is. 29.13).

“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and
honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’” (Matt. 15.8, 9).

God hates this. Religion of convenience, religion for its own sake, religion for the fun of it, and religion for one’s own self-aggrandizement and esteem.

Better to keep watch on our hearts, keep them close to God, fear Him, and do His commandments (Ps. 119.166). Hard, and maybe even inconvenient at times; but pleasing to the LORD, and that makes all the difference (Matt. 10.28).

Reflection
1. What was wrong with Jeroboam’s offering the people a more “convenient” religion?

2. Do you think people today want their religion easy and convenient or disciplined and self-denying? Explain. 

3. Only the Scripture can teach us what true religion is, not popular preachers, powerful politicians, or people-pleasing pastors. Why must this be so?

They thought, indeed, that their worship was fully approved by God, when they offered sacrifices in Bethel and Gilgal. But the Prophet here shows, that the more sedulously they labored in performing sacred things, the more grievously they offended God, and the heavier judgment they gained for themselves. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Amos 4.4, 5

Pray Psalm 115.1-3, 9-18.
Praise and glorify God for His great salvation! Call on Him to bless and increase the ranks of His people and to fill the world with the Name of Jesus!

Sing Psalm 115.1-3, 9-18.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, LORD, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!

All who trust in Jesus yield—ever to His Name be glory—
find in Him their help and shield: Ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the LORD! He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Blessings from our gracious LORD —ever to Your Name be glory—
will attend us evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, LORD, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Grant us, Savior, great increase—ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.