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Amos 8:14
Israel, on the other hand, swore by “the sin of Samaria” (Amos 8:14), which actually refers to a name, Ashima, a Canaanite mother-goddess. This Ashima represents the importation of foreign cults and gods. Historically, Israel borrowed gods from the surrounding nations and combined their worship with that of the true God. By changing His nature, they destroyed the true God's image, thereby altering the source of beliefs, ideals, laws, standards, ethics, and morality. Thus, when a famine of God's Word comes (Amos 8:11), immorality swiftly sets in. Dan was the site of one of the sanctuaries that Jeroboam I set up to imitate the Temple in Jerusalem (I Kings 12:29). His counterfeit sanctuary featured a counterfeit Holy of Holies. Instead of cherubim, it had two golden calves arranged to form the base of a counterfeit mercy seat. Over the years, the calves' visible presence became familiar to the Israelites, who soon began worshipping them as God. After a little more time, the nature of the calves became the nature of God. Beersheba, with its false shrine associated with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was in the southern part of Judah. People made pilgrimages to Beersheba, a very long and arduous trip. Over time, they came to believe that righteousness accrued to them simply by going there. They walked “the way of Beersheba” (Amos 8:14), thinking to put God in their debt. But God owes no one anything! He blesses those who are in the right attitude, following His way, and growing and overcoming.
John W. Ritenbaugh and Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Prepare to Meet Your God! (Part Five): Religion and Holiness
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