עמוס, פרק ד׳, פסוק ה׳

A piercing, ironic critique is leveled against a corrupted form of religious worship, where intense public enthusiasm masks a deep distortion of God's laws. The people attempt to blend elements of legitimate worship with blatant disrespect and idolatry.

This distortion is clear in their treatment of the thanksgiving offering, as they burn its leavened bread directly on the altar. The primary approach among commentators points out the severe violation in this act. Not only did God never command the burning of thanksgiving breads, but He explicitly forbade offering any leavened goods on His altar [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This deliberate inversion of God's commands [אבן עזרא] creates a religious system that merely pretends to rely on true laws while actually mocking their specific details and altering their requirements [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, the inclusion of leaven is understood conceptually as a reference to robbery, indicating that their sacrifices are actually funded by stolen property taken by force [רד״ק].

The corrupted worship continues with public announcements, passionately urging the crowds to bring freewill offerings far beyond their basic obligations [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. These calls are made with great joy and singing, accompanied by the false claim that such offerings are highly desired and accepted by God [רש״י]. Yet, this massive, festive gathering is a sham, as their true devotion is directed toward idolatry and the worship of golden calves [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

The prophet concludes this critique with a heavy dose of sarcasm. God is not actually commanding them to perform these acts. Rather, He is telling them that since they deeply love their idol worship and have completely abandoned His true service [רד״ק], they should simply continue doing whatever they please. Ultimately, they will have to face the bitter consequences of their actions [מצודת דוד].