Back to: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES SS2
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In today’s Christain Religious Studies class, We will be learning about the True Religion. We hope you enjoy the class!
During the time of Amos, the Israelites no longer practised true religion. The social justice had been corrupted also. The people had deviated from observing the covenant made with God. Their hearts were not truly with God any longer. They only lived in pretence by fulfilling the physical obligations of offering sacrifices and payment of tithes. However, the real fear of God was not in them. Their deviation from the true religion of Yahweh was what led to the social injustices and oppression that was the character of the times.
The worship of idols had become the order of the day polluting the true religion that was bequeathed to them by their fathers. An example of this was the case of the golden calves made by Jeroboam at Bethel and Dan. The Idol was placed strategically at bethel which was the place of worship for the Israelites before Jeroboam’s reign. Jeroboam’s intention was discouraging the people from going to Bethel lest their mind gets attached to Judah again. in addition to this, there were other idols brought in by strange(foreign) women that various kings of Israel had married. All these can be classified as sin and pollution to the land. God had warned them not to serve other gods of the nations that he had delivered to them. Israel became a nation that paid little regard to the worship of the God of their fathers who had wrought wonders among them. they hated the truth and turned their heart away from God. They mocked and harassed prophets who attempted to show them the way of righteousness. When faced with challenges, they thought they could appease God with their numerous sacrifices. God refused their sacrifices that they were not from people of pure hearts. He spoke through the prophet Amos that,
“I hate, I despise your feast, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and cereal offerings, I will not accept them and the peace offering of your fatted beasts I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps, I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:21-24).
Prophet Amos’ message to the people is centred on repentance from their sins. The Israelites were encouraged to separate from their foreign religious practices. He encouraged them to seek God with all their strength and might, emphasizing that God was after their hearts and not after their songs and burnt offerings. Justice should be upheld in the dealings of the people.
Lessons to learn on true religion
- Payment of tithes and offerings is meaningless if we refuse to live righteously.
- Worldliness is dangerous to a believer’s life. Too much love for luxury and pleasure is the root cause of many social vices and evil practices.
- Despite the corruption that has pervaded the Nigerian society, Christians are encouraged to live for God.
Evaluation
Highlight the various social vices in Israel which Amos addresses in his prophecy.
We have come to the end of this class. We do hope you enjoyed the class?
Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as possible.
We have come to the end of this term and hence SS2 It’s been a remarkable journey and we are glad that you have made it this far. For making it this far, we commend you for being resilient, you have taken charge of your education and future.
The Journey still continues though, we are moving on to SS3. we hope to meet you there.
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