Through the mouths of many prophets, God spoke to his people about what it means to be one of his children. God does not want temple sacrifices and empty promises; he wants right living.
“Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.” (Jeremiah 7:5-7)
“[l]et justice surge like waters,
and righteousness like an unfailing stream.” (Amos 5:24)
In fact, God rejects our worship and devotions as worthless and He will not hear our prayers if they are not matched by a sincere and active love of neighbor:
“Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke,
and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
“Then your light will break out like the dawn,
and your recovery will speedily spring forth;
and your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the lORd will be your rear guard.
“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
You will cry, and he will say, ‘here I am.’ (Isaiah 58:6-9)
