Amos 4:5

5 Burn pure sacrifices - thank offerings. Speak up - announce freewill offerings! That's the sort of religious show you Israelites just love." God's Decree.

Amos 4:5 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 4:5

And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven
Which some observe was contrary to the law, which forbids all leaven in a meat offering; or "burning" it in any offering, ( Leviticus 2:11 ) ; which the word F20 here used suggests was done by these idolaters, as well as eaten by them, their priests not liking to eat unleavened bread; but; though it was forbidden in the meat offering, was allowed, yea, ordered, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, ( Leviticus 7:13 ) . So Abarbinel understands it here, as what was according, to law, but ironically commanded to be offered to idols: and proclaim [and] publish the free offerings;
let all know of them when you make your freewill offerings, and invite them to partake of them: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God;
or ye love to offer such sacrifices to your idols, rather than to the Lord God; preferring these to him, and delighting more in the worship of them than of him.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (rjq) "incendendo", Munster, Tigurine version; "incendito incensum", Vatablus.

Amos 4:5 In-Context

3 They'll drag you through the ruined city walls, forcing you out single file, And kick you to kingdom come." God's Decree.
4 "Come along to Bethel and sin! And then to Gilgal and sin some more! Bring your sacrifices for morning worship. Every third day bring your tithe.
5 Burn pure sacrifices - thank offerings. Speak up - announce freewill offerings! That's the sort of religious show you Israelites just love." God's Decree.
6 "You know, don't you, that I'm the One who emptied your pantries and cleaned out your cupboards, Who left you hungry and standing in bread lines? But you never got hungry for me. You continued to ignore me." God's Decree.
7 "Yes, and I'm the One who stopped the rains three months short of harvest. I'd make it rain on one village but not on another. I'd make it rain on one field but not on another - and that one would dry up.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.