Old Testament Prophets

¶ … Pastor Timothy (2013) points out, "The prophets spoke volumes on idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism." These are three of the most important topics in the Hebrew Bible. Idolatry was a primary concern for the God of the Hebrew Bible. From the time of the Exodus, when God offers Moses the Ten Commandments and states outright, "You shall have no other gods before me," God and the Prophets understood that idolatry was a major challenge to overcome.

During the time in which the Hebrew Bible was written, idolatry and paganism remained common. It took great effort on the part of the Prophets to steer people away from false idols and to the one true God. Isaiah tries to frighten people away from creating idols, saying that craftsmen who make idols should be ashamed of themselves.

"They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed," (Isaiah 44:9). Jeremiah tries a more reasonable approach, noting that idolatry should be cast aside simply because it does not work. "Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to whom they make offerings, but they cannot save them in the time of their trouble," (Jeremiah 11:12).

Only God can save a person in time of need. Applied to the modern world, the prophets might note that television, the Internet, and even science can be forms of idolatry that steer people away from God. Social justice was also an issue during Biblical times. In the Hebrew Bible, justice is always framed as being God's business. This is why God periodically punishes His own people. In Deuteronomy 32:5, an angry God laments the injustice in humanity.

"They are corrupt and not his children; to their shame they are a warped and crooked generation." However, the Bible also recognizes the relevance of human systems of justice like the courts. "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor," (Leviticus 19:15). Justice is impartial, suggests the Bible.

This lesson can and should be applied in the modern world, but it is very difficult for human beings to remain as impartial as God. Only God can mete out true justice, or the only justice that matters. Social justice in the Hebrew Bible is absolute; there are laws, and they are firm. The Bible is also firm on the moral imperative to help those in need.

As it states in Proverbs 14:31, "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him." The God of the Hebrew Bible despises religious ritualism that is empty, and instead requires faith and loyalty. "Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts," (Amos 5:22).

Clearly, God is not interested in such outmoded methods of worship because they are not relevant to the covenant He creates with His people. Rituals are neither necessary, nor even desirable. The prophet Micah.