(a) Describe any three practices which Amos condemned in the religious life of Isreal and indicate the three things he recommended in their place.

Answer Details

Practices Amos condemned in Israel's religious life, and what he recommended in their place

Amos attacked a religion that was outwardly busy but inwardly corrupt. Israel kept the forms of worship while ignoring justice and mercy, so God rejected their devotion.

Three practices Amos condemned:

• Empty ritual sacrifice and offerings. The people multiplied burnt offerings, cereal offerings and peace offerings, but God said He would not accept them and would not look upon them, because the heart behind them was corrupt.
• Noisy, hollow festivals and worship at the shrines. God declared, I hate, I despise your feasts, and He took no delight in their solemn assemblies. He told them to bring their offerings to Bethel and Gilgal only to transgress, mocking their pilgrimage religion.
• Meaningless music and songs of praise. God commanded them to take away the noise of their songs, for He would not listen to the melody of their harps, since their praise masked oppression of the poor.

Three things he recommended in their place:

• Justice. Let justice roll down like waters, that is, fair treatment and honest judgment in the courts and markets.
• Righteousness. And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, upright and godly living in every dealing.
• To seek God and do good. Amos urged, Seek good and not evil, that you may live, and hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate, so that the Lord might be gracious to the remnant.