True Righteousness
Amos 5:21-24 (NIVUK) —
‘I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’
These are really strong words. If you have a chance, read the whole fifth chapter of Amos. He, and God speaking through him, does not hold back.
One of the common misconceptions about why God’s chosen people were exiled, their cities ransacked, the temple destroyed, is that it was all because of idolatry. Idolatry was indeed a problem; God had made it clear that he was their only Lord.
But the Bible also makes it clear, and Amos 5 is an example, that the lack of justice also brought God’s judgment. The poor were starving; widows and orphans, the most vulnerable in their society, were not cared for; the courts were corrupt. Their land was unjust, and to paraphrase verse 23, their worship meant nothing if they allowed their brothers and sisters to be cheated, abused, and left to die. God wasn’t interested in their money, or wealth, or songs if they didn’t love each other. In these verses, God makes no distinction between justice and righteousness.
Shane Claiborne, an American author and activist shared on Instagram ‘When people hear us talking of casting the mighty from their thrones and raising the lowly…of filling the hungry with food things whilst sending the rich away empty…Inevitably, some will say, ‘That sounds like socialism.’ But we will remind them…it is the Gospel of Luke.’
Sometimes we can let the false values of the world stop us seeking and bringing about justice. But God sees. Thank goodness he also forgives!
As we read on Day 2 of this week, peace and unity rely on justice. We cannot hope to be united with our brothers and sisters if we do not fight for justice on their behalf.
Prayer – Father, let justice roll on like a river in my life, and in my spheres of influence. Forgive me for times when my comfort or complacency was placed higher than justice for my brothers and sisters. Lead me in your way.