Idolatry, Social Injustice, And Religious Ritualism

Name: John Shisler
Course and Section Number: BIBL 105-D23
Prophets Essay The prophets of the Old Testament had a lot to say about many different subjects. Idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism were just a few of them. While they also talked about the future coming of Jesus and what God wanted from His people, the prophets were never shy to let their feelings known on these subjects. Many of these teachings can still be applied today. There is no need to wait for the prophets to learn exactly how God felt about idolatry. The First Commandment states, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; / you shall have no other gods before me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol,
The Fifth through Tenth Commandments state, “You shall not murder. / You shall not commit adultery. / You shall not steal. / You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. / You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor”3. This gives God’s people a good guide on how He wants us to treat each other. The prophet Amos also had a clear understanding of what God expected and helped spread it, stating, “Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. / Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph”4. Amos is stating plainly that God’s people must seek to do good deeds. God wants His people to go out and raise others up, not push them down. Everyone is created equally by God. Hindson and Yates tells us that “The wealthy had a special responsibility to care for the poor and the needy”5. They continue, informing us that “by the time of the writing prophets in the eighth century BC, the disparity between the rich and the poor in Israel was shameful because those with wealth and influence increasingly oppressed the disadvantaged”6. If this sounds familiar, it should. This sounds a lot like what those who are
Micah states that “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”7. Micah is stating clearly hear what God expects to worship Him. God wants His people to be just to those around them, love others, and especially not think that they are better than anyone else. God does not expect us to go to church every Sunday. Just because one goes each and every Sunday does not mean they are following what is taught. God expects His people to show by their actions that they are following His path. The Third Commandment does state “Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy”8. However this is giving people time to reflect on God’s teachings and love. This is not a mandate to go to church. People should remember treating others the way God taught us is more important than meeting in a building to sing some