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Daily Devotions

Amos

Amos 
Day 
Day 43

"Come to Bethel and transgress"

Text: Amos 4:4

FUTILE WORSHIP

One of the gravest dangers that confronted Israel was the danger of “futile worship”. For all wants and purposes, the formality of worshiping God was carefully observed. And yet, these practices led into deep transgression!

“Come to Bethel and transgress,
At Gilgal multiply transgression;
Bring your sacrifices every morning,
Your tithes every three days.”
Amos 4:4

1. “Come to Bethel”

a) It was Jacob who used the name “Bethel” to describe the place where God revealed Himself to him.
b) This was the turning point of his life (Genesis 28:19).
c) The reference to Bethel in Amos 4:3 is the house of worship that King Jeroboam had created (1 Kings 12:29).

2. “Come to Bethel and transgress”

a) Jeroboam set up two calves of gold at Bethel as an alternative to Temple worship at Jerusalem.
b) They were to be worshipped as the gods who led Israel out of Egypt.
c) Priests from every class of people (but not Levites) were ordained to look after the worship at Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-31).
d) Worship at Bethel was a transgression against the Laws of God! (Exodus 20:1-17)
e) People were encouraged to worship at Bethel but this attempt at worship was futile for it was sinful!

3. “At Gilgal multiply transgression”

a) Jeroboam set up many other places of worship for the religiously inclined in Israel. Gilgal was one of the “high places” he had set up.
b) But at Gilgal as in Bethel the worshippers transgressed against the Lord God.
c) Gilgal was the place also spoken against by Hosea the prophet (Hosea 4:15; 9:15).
d) Hosea mentioned that “all the wickedness” of the people were in Gilgal (Hosea 9:15).
f) Transgression was actually “multiplied” at Gilgal.

4. Popular practices observed there

a) Sacrifices were made every morning.
b) Tithes were given every three days.

Many must have felt that they were very religious when they practised these things, but they had failed to appreciate that they were actually transgressing!