Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” vss. 23-24
Amos 5:21-24
During Israel’s golden age, the time of its greatest prosperity, Amos came out of the wilderness of Judah with a message from the Lord. To put it bluntly, there was nothing that the people were doing that was pleasing. They were cheating the poor, indulging the rich, and their sacrifices were a stench in the nostrils of the Lord. And what passed for worship in their sanctuaries was a waste of time. No one in the heavenly places was listening! But there was a way to touch the heart of God, and Amos was concise! These are some of the most impressive words in all the Hebrew scriptures, “Let justice roll down like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” This verse sums up the teaching of every prophet of every age. This is the heart of the prophetic message, and a brilliant summation of Jesus’ message when he began his ministry. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Even though the religious don’t much like to hear it, social justice is the very center of every congregation’s mission!
Thought for the Day: What justice issue is dear to my heart?
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