Review of Prophets Perception of the Issue of Idolatry Social Injustice and Religious Ritualism

Prophets: Idolatry, Social Injustice and Religious Ritualism

At a glance, one can easily decide not to read the prophetic books, after all they are not as interesting to read as other smooth-flowing books in the Bible such as Jonah, Ruth or Esther. These prophetic books are judgment and angst- filled books. Honestly at times, they can be absolutely depressing. Many different issues are spoken about in these books. Themes such as social injustices, religious ritualism and idolatry emerge throughout many books. While most of us assume that these are issues of a different age, they are still common in the modern day world. This paper reviews the way prophets spoke and tackled these three issues (Erin n.d.).

Idolatry

As Israelites started disobeying the laws of God, they commenced forming their own beliefs and religions. Many of the cultures existent in the biblical times had material things that were being worshipped as gods. Cultures and former idol worshiping practices were incorporated into religion (Morales 2013).

The prophecies that were made by the prophet Amos signify a turning point in the growth and development of 'religion' in the Old Testament. The prophet spoke the words that God had put in him. In fact, the message that Amos had for the people of that time were radical since it was directly against practices that had already been accepted as normal in religion (Morales 2013).

Israel could not grasp the concept of worshipping a God they could not see. Even despite God manifesting Himself to them in various ways, they still withdrew back to culture and made gods that they could see to worship. God then used prophets to call his people back to Him, to make them come back to the covenant. Prophets such as Zephaniah tried to give the people the message from God; he condemned the Israelites and their idolatry (Erin n.d.).

Zephaniah led his ministry when Judah was under King Josiah (who himself stressed on the need to exterminate idolatry). Zephaniah told of how eventually Judah would be punished for the widespread practice of idolatry. Another prophet, Jeremiah, stressed during his sermons on God's anger towards the meaningless religious ritualism. To warn the people against the impending doom that they faced if they did not repent from their sins, Jeremiah daringly announced that God was ready to destroy the city of Jerusalem and its temple since its people had put sense rituals in the place of true obedience (Jeremiah 7:3-4) (Heartofthewolph 2014).

Social injustice

Justice is primarily fairness towards everyone. It is all about equal treatment of everyone. In the Old Testament there are many instances in which those who are wealthy mistreat the poor. The rich took the destitute to court to take away their lands and other possessions. They often bribed judges to get favorable decisions. Government officials also heavily taxed the poor. Instances of poor people being given very little wage also occurred (The Prophet Amos Speaks out Against Social Injustice And Religious Insincerity n.d.).

Many preachers and prophets including Amos were sent by God in an attempt to make the people turn their backs against their sinful ways of mistreating the poor among them. The prophets were sent to remind the people of the Law and to warn them of possible consequences if they continued with their evil ways. God sent Amos to inform the Israelites of an impending doom (a great earthquake) if they did not change their ways. Prophet Micah too had a message from the Lord (Erin n.d.).

He rebuked the people on the way they took possessions away from the destitute and told them that he was going to punish them; that if they do not change their ways he will visit disaster upon them Mic. 2:2-3. (Erin n.d.).

Religious ritualism