Amos 5:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In essence, He declares, "I have hated, saith he, and rejected your feasts, I will not approve of sacrifices, and I will never accept the fragrance of burnt-offerings and offerings for salvation." These references to sacrifices vary in their respective natures and timings: a burnt-offering represents one act, while the offering of oneself before God for salvation represents another. For the Jews steeped in severe impiety, the actions mentioned are only fitting. God, however, graciously accepts the offerings of the faithful, their spiritual burnt-offerings, and their participation in holy festivals, as we do not present ourselves through foul odors but instead offer the presence of Christ, who dwells within us through the Spirit. It is inherently expected for heretical individuals, unable to share the same faith as true believers, to oppose this notion. Those who are in Christ bear the fragrance of God (2 Cor. 2:15), contrasting sharply with those whose scent is aligned with Beelzebub, as it is only within their ranks that one can speak anathema against Jesus (1 Cor. 12:3). These unfortunate souls, who persistently voice blasphemies and slanders against the majesty of the Only Begotten, reveal minds filled not with spiritual aroma, but with a foul stench.

They do not observe God's feasts but instead partake in their own celebrations, as the Lord declares, “I have hated and rejected your feasts.” He disapproves of the assemblies of such individuals, viewing their sacrifices not as sweet aromas but as repugnant. All offerings and gifts made from ill-gotten gains are turned away by Him. This principle holds true not just for those of that era but for us today if we engage in similar transgressions and believe that gifts stemming from wrongdoing can atone for our sins. Recall how Zacchaeus restored fourfold what he had wrongfully taken and gave half of his legitimate wealth (Luke 19:8). We cannot present gifts to God that are derived from corrupt means, nor can we fulfill Scripture's call to “Honour the Lord from thy righteous labours” (Proverbs 3:9) while neglecting the essence of true integrity. It is affirmed that God will not receive an offering derived from the payment of a harlot (Deuteronomy 23:18). In contrast, the righteous can truly say, “Let my prayer be made good, as a censer before Thee” (Psalm 140:2). Such a prayer was considered sinful for Judas the betrayer (Psalm 108:7) because it bore no fragrance, as he lamented, “My wounds are dead and bent from the face of my folly” (Psalm 37:7). These statements can appropriately apply to heretics who, seeking to escape danger, choose instead to fall into other forms of peril, entering what they mistake for the house of God, supported by their own faulty constructions, yet are wounded by the serpent. The shadows they inhabit take away their light, rendering their darkness profound and leading to the destruction of their rightful place. God rejects their sacrifices, and even when they gather in His name, He turns away from their foul stench. It is communicated that He “hates, rejects,” and “does not perceive” this offering in human terms, illustrating how we, as humans, might comprehend God's stance. Even if they present burnt offerings or appear to fast, give alms, or vow chastity—true tokens of devotion—the Lord disregards them and does not honor their sumptuous sacrifices. He does not focus on the quantity of offerings but rather on the worthiness and intent behind them. Thus, the widow who contributed two mites to the treasury (Luke 21:1-4) is valued by the Savior over those who, giving out of their abundance, believed their contributions to be significant, while she offered everything she possessed. These words resonate more clearly regarding the Jews following the coming of the Lord, who, despite the temple's destruction, imagine they are still making sacrifices. God abhors their feasts and does not perceive their offerings when they gather to proclaim, “Crucify, crucify Him” (John 19:6), and, “His blood be upon us and upon our children” (Matthew 27:25). Even if they bring burnt offerings in their synagogues and gifts in the assemblies of opposition, and offer fat sacrifices according to their vows, the Lord does not regard them, just as He overlooked the offerings of Cain (Gen. 4:4-5). Although they may fulfill the worship of one God properly, He still does not consider them because they lack faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet God pays attention to the offerings that come from our Church, which reflect our genuine beginnings, just as He once regarded Abel's sacrifice.