Sinning In Holy Places?

Hosea 8:11 (NIV) – “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning.

Hosea 8:11 (Message Bible) – “Ephraim has built a lot of altars, and then uses them for sinning. Can you believe it? Altars for sinning!

Congregational worship is recorded around the Exodus. Prior to that, patriarchs led their families in worship around altars. An altar was the connection point between human beings and the Supreme being.

An altar was a simple construction or even pile of rocks, on which an animal was slaughtered and burnt as an offering or gift to God. The altar was therefore a very holy place. A meeting of the divine and human.

Later on a larger holy place was built, with an altar within it. The Israelite sanctuary had to altars. One outside where sinners offered sacrifices. A second one inside in the holy place where prayers for sinners were made by the priests. Forgiveness was sought at the altar.

Altars therefore represent holy places of worship. Holy places where God meets with people. Holy places where people are constantly reminded of the presence of God. 

Wherever Patriarchs went they built an altar. They couldn’t settle at a place if they hadn’t built an altar. The place of worship became like a flag planted by soldiers to show authority. God’s authority was declared at a place by the building of an altar.

Hosea 8:11 (Message Bible) – “Ephraim has built a lot of altars, and then uses them for sinning. Can you believe it? Altars for sinning!

Ephraim is another name for the northern kingdom also known as Israel. Ephraim’s capital was Samaria. God through prophet Hosea accuses Ephraim of building many altars and then uses them for sinning.

Sinning at the altar? Sinning at a place where we meet a holy God? Sinning is offending God. It’s already wrong to sin anywhere, but now sinning at the place where God meets human beings? Isn’t that an insult?

Aren’t churches altars of our time? Aren’t church offices altars of our time? Aren’t church schools altars of our time? Aren’t church hospitals altars of our time? Aren’t church restaurants altars of our time? Aren’t grounds where church meetings are being held altars of our time? Aren’t these places dedicated for us to meet with God? Do we build altars then use them for sinning?

When we have physical fights in church, aren’t we sinning at the altar? When we are irreverent in church aren’t we sinning at the altar? When we browse our phones during worship, aren’t we sinning at the altar?

When we engage in illicit sex in church offices, at worship grounds where a group is boarding for some days, aren’t we sinning at the altar? When we steal church money, aren’t we sinning at the altar? When we plot against each other and execute it during church events, aren’t we sinning at the altar?

We build churches and church institutions then use them for sinning? We build this altars then sin at those same altars? Aren’t we risking our lives? Sinning at the altar?

Hosea 8:11 (NIV) – “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning.

Are the altars holy for you or sinning grounds? Marriages conducted in church become holy altars. Are you using this altar to meet God or sin? Isn’t abuse of partner and infidelity part of sinning at an altar you created?

Because of sinning at the altars, God promises to punish Israelites and send them back to Egypt. Nothing worse than going back to Egypt. Back to slavery. Back to persecution. Back to endless suffering. Why? Because of sinning at the altar!

Dear God, forgive us for sinning at the altars we built. Cleanse us and save us. Don’t send us back to Egypt we plead, in Jesus’s name, Amen!

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