VERSE:
I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
— Amos 5:21-24
THOUGHT:
Religion apart from obedience is abhorrent to the Lord. False worship doesn’t only consist of those who worship a false God; it also includes those who worship the one true God falsely. One of the most sobering thoughts is that we could be going to church twice a week, giving a tenth of our income and singing songs with lifted hands to Jesus, and He would despise every bit of it. How embarrassed and ashamed would so many of our churches be if they heard what God really thought about their assemblies and songs that they perform for Him.
God hates false worship. If your religion comprises of a bunch of outward rituals and traditions that make you look good on Sunday while you live in sin Monday through Saturday, then God will hate your worship and despise the songs you sing to Him.
APPLICATION:
Don’t think that any outward ritual or tradition performed will please the Lord apart from intimacy and obedience. Worship God with confidence, knowing that it is out of a pure heart and true devotion.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I pray that my worship would be a pleasing aroma to you, rather than a stench in your nostrils. I pray that my songs would be sweet to your ear, rather than an annoyance. True worship that is offered out of a pure heart can only be brought about by your Spirit working in me, and I pray that you would do that. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN!
I think that you are not far off on your understanding on this, as you might agree what God was referring to was that the nation of Israel was not worshiping him in pure worship. They were doing things out of ritual, and also at the same time worshiping false god's.
As attested many times through the scriptures God does not give multiple ways to serve him or worship him. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 clearly shows that there can be no connection with false or pagan traditions, or rituals in our worship. Yes many churches and many of the holiday's all have traditions that find roots back to pagan teachings.
After looking at these things many of the churches most likely would be found displeasing to God. But he also wants us to gather together with other true worshipers (Hebrews 10:24).
Considering that verse:
I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
— Amos 5:21-24
Questions:
1. Why did he despised their religious feasts?
2. To whom did He say these words?
3. Does this verse really say that God despises religion or does He despises what happens on the religion?
4. What religion is He referring to?
Answers:
He is talking with Israel and with those who worship Him. He is talking with the religion which worships Him. God does commanded us to keep His religious feasts, refer to Leviticus 23 to confirm. Then, why did God told us this verse. To know the reason, read the whole chapter of that verse to know it's context. In Amos 5, He will not accept the worship of those who still commit adultery, sexual immorality, worship of other gods, worship with rules made by men, and many other detestable things which God did not commanded and prohibited to do. Therefore, God does not hate religion at all, what He hates is to not follow what He commanded and to worship Him in vain.