AMOS 4:1-5 WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!” 2 The Sovereign LORD has sworn by his holiness: “The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks. 3 You will each go straight out through breaks in the wall, and you will be cast out toward Harmon,’” declares the LORD. 4 “Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. 5 Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings— boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do,” declares the Sovereign LORD.

The imagery of the cows of Bashan, is the imagery of those who are kept and fed copious amounts of food that is provided for them. It is the image of a people so well taken care of that they have become haughty and greedy, which in turn causes them to use those less fortunate to feed their appetites. They also continually demand more from those who husband them.

This is a picture of decadence, but it is also a mirror in which we can see our self-centered tendencies. The biblical image of the people of God as the wife and God as the husband might help us to see our bovine attitudes when it comes to our neighbors and our God. In what ways might we discount, belittle and prosper at the expense of those who are not of our church community or those in churches with whom we disagree? Are we sure that we attract people to our community by the positive witness of our lives of faith and not by pointing out the negative witness of the apostasy of others? Do we focus on the eternal wellbeing of our neighbors in our evangelism or on the need to grow our numbers and budget? When we pray or worship, do we come to God in humble thanksgiving for all the unmerited blessings we have received, in particular the opportunity to be in relationship with him, or do we come to him in order to have our desires met? When it comes to our neighbors and our Father, is our relationship the end in itself or merely the means to our prosperity?

If we value the blessing more than the Blessor, then the words of the Prophet provide a clarion wake up call for us. Elsewhere, it is written: “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). Worship, like any other tool, if it is used incorrectly will lead to unfortunate consequences.

Lord, forgive me of my pride and arrogance which drive me to use my neighbor and my relationship with you for my own gain. Guide me to divest my heart of all greed and entitlement so that it will be free to love only you. Turn my worship into perfect adoration of you and thanksgiving for your grace and mercy. Make me ever willing to serve others in the Name of you, my God. Amen.