Amos 8:5-6

These oppressors were eager for the monthly festivals and the weekly Sabbaths to end so they could get back to work cheating their fellow countrymen to make big profits. These holidays were days of rest and worship, but the Israelite workaholics did not enjoy them, though they observed them as good religious people. They were anxious to enslave the needy in their debt so they could control them and use them for their own selfish ends (cf. Amos 2:6). Archaeologists have found at Tirzah the remains of shops from the eighth century that contain two sets of weights, one for buying and one for selling. [Note: Mays, p. 144.] Tirzah was the first capital of Israel (1 Kings 14:17; 1 Kings 15:21; 1 Kings 15:33; et al.).

"These people regarded cereals and human beings equally as stock for sale. Their practices were both dishonest and inhumane." [Note: Andersen and Freedman, p. 804.]

Merchandising was their priority, not worshipping. Profit was their god, and they willingly sacrificed more important things for it. People who focus intently on what they will do after worship is over do not engage in true worship or enter into the spirit of worship. [Note: Wolff, p. 326.]