Amos 5:21-27

What the Lord demands -- Amos 5:21-27 The children of Israel stilled assembled before God to conduct solemn assemblies or religious celebrations. Sadly, God took no delight in their times of worship. The people were doing the actions required by the Mosaic system. Their thinking seemed to be that they somehow thought God would accept them just because they continued to do the things He required regardless of all the evils and false worship that they were involved with. God hated their feast days and refused to smell the odor of their incense. God would not accept their burnt offerings, grain offerings, or their peace offerings.

Their songs sounded like noise to God. He refused to listen when they played on their instruments... Instrumental music was not originally a part of the Law of Moses. It was later instituted by David and the Lord sanctioned it by giving it His glory. (2 Chronicles 29:26-27) You must do right for your worship to mean anything to God. "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." (Amos 5:24) God asked Israel, "Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?" In the wilderness they had worshipped the one true God. Now they had made idols, Moloch and Chiun, to worship and serve. The true God had blessed them, but these are gods they have to carry if they are to move. As result of their idolatry God said, "I will force you to march as captives beyond Damascus. I, the LORD God All-Powerful, have spoken!"