When I was in training school to be a Salvation Army officer (pastor), I had a brilliant Old Testament teacher. I loved her class, despite the intense amounts of reading that I didn’t always finish. 

She had a love for the Old Testament that I hadn’t seen before in many people, and it encouraged me to look differently at the texts and develop an appreciation I hadn’t had before. It was one of the only classes that truly required me to study to understand the material and pass the class with an A.  

Throughout the class, there was one line that our instructor taught as the central reminder of the Old Testament. It’s jotted down in my Bible multiple times and rings through my head each time I flip through passages from 1 Samuel or Isaiah or Daniel. “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” 

There came a point in class where she had drilled it into our heads so well, we would be able to say it before she got the words out. The entire Old Testament points to this idea, and I cannot forget it. 

Now, if you’re like I was, you’ll think, “Easy! I don’t really do any sacrifices … I don’t have spare goats lying around and I haven’t seen an altar that can handle that, so I’m good.” And if we’re only talking about textbook Old Testament animal sacrifices and grain offerings, you’re probably right. But I don’t think that’s the point. 

To say obedience is better than sacrifice isn’t confined to the physical aspects. “Obedience is better than sacrifice” is a matter of the heart. To live this out requires more than avoiding animal sacrifices and gold idols. To live this out, we need to examine our hearts and motivations and determine if our obedience comes from a heart devoted to our Savior or something else. 

Amos was unlike most prophets. He wasn’t the son of a prophet or priest, and he didn’t hold any position of profound influence in the church. He was a follower of God, who listened and obeyed when God gave him a message for the Israelites and called him to deliver it. Amos’s obedience proved his devotion. 

In Amos 5:21-24, Amos’s words to the Israelites give us a firm but true reminder to set our hearts on obedience rather than sacrifice. Often, we get hung up on traditions and sacrifice rather than embracing true obedience.  

How many times have you picked up your Bible simply to check that off your daily list? How often do you go to church on a Sunday because that’s what is expected of you? When you’re singing in worship, how quickly does your mind wander and worry? Do you do any or all of these things, while shirking God’s calls for justice or mercy or kindness? 

These are just a few of the ways we prioritize tradition and sacrifice rather than obedience and relationship. This passage in Amos carries strong words to his intended audience, and to us in 2023. Make this season one where you prioritize obedience rather than the show of tradition and sacrifice.

Dig Deeper:

Pick one new spiritual discipline to focus on this season—Bible reading, memorization, fasting, prayer, fellowship, silence and solitude—and focus on how you can fit it into your life as an act of obedience. If you miss a day, don’t panic. The purpose is to strengthen your relationship and create a life-long pattern of obedience. 

• April 1: Amos 1:1-2
• April 2: Amos 1:3-5
• April 3: Amos 1:6-8
• April 4: Amos 1:9-10
• April 5: Amos 1:11-12
• April 6: Amos 1:13-15
• April 7: Amos 2:1-3
• April 8: Amos 2:4-5
• April 9: Amos 2:6-16
• April 10: Amos 3:1-10
• April 11: Amos 3:11-15
• April 12: Amos 4:1-8
• April 13: Amos 4:9-13
• April 14: Amos 5:1-10
• April 15: Amos 5:11-17
• April 16: Amos 5:18-27
• April 17: Amos 6:1-7
• April 18: Amos 6:8-10
• April 19: Amos 6:11-14
• April 20: Amos 7:1-9
• April 21: Amos 7:10-17
• April 22: Amos 8:1-6
• April 23: Amos 8:7-8
• April 24: Amos 8:9-14
• April 25: Amos 9:1-4
• April 26: Amos 9:5-6
• April 27: Amos 9:7-8
• April 28: Amos 9:9-10
• April 29: Amos 9:11-12
• April 30: Amos 9:13-15

Prayer

God, forgive me for the times I’ve let my relationship with You become just a routine, tradition, or sacrifice. Teach me to be obedient, to hunger for Your word, and to live a life that honors You and listens to Your Spirit and calling. Amen.

Flower Illustration by Lan Truong & Verse Illustration by Bea Barros