They offered blemished sacrifices (1:6-14) They offered God their contempt, defiled food, blind,
cripples, and diseased animals. They gave their "leftovers" instead
of their best.
The priests had become unfaithful (2:1-9) They did not listen and dishonored God with false
teachings.
Divorce was commonplace and easy (2:10-17) They had broken faith and commitment with God and in their
marriages.
Their words wearied God (2:17 read) They desired their own justice, and missed they always had
a Just God!
Businessmen were cheating their workers,
customers, widows, orphans and aliens (3:1-5). Defrauded and oppressed those around them. There was no justice.
Before we pass judgment on this group let's
look at what the New Testament has to say to us. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says. Anyone
who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks
at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and
immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives
freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but
doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James
1:22-25
Application?
