Working for Justice and Righteousness

KEY VERSE: “Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” —Amos 5:24

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Amos 4:4, 5; 5:18-24

DURING THE REIGN of Jeroboam II in Israel, relative prosperity prevailed as both Egypt and Assyria were preoccupied with internal problems, thus eliminating Israel’s constant threat on its borders. Left alone to spend their energy on domestic policies and the pursuits of peace, the people soon became more interested in themselves than in God, even though they considered themselves pious and righteous people. Did they not tithe regularly? Did they not sacrifice regularly? Did they not attend festivals and frequent the places of worship?

The disparaging words of Amos must have been very offensive to the Israelites under these circumstances. To suggest they go to Bethel and Gilgal, two sacred places of worship, and “transgress” and “multiply transgression” must have been almost too much to withstand. (Amos 4:4) But Amos points out their selfishness in worship: “Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel”! (vs. 5) In other words, these sacrifices were not given out of love, but for self-gratification.

Worship with this attitude is an abomination to God. When one loves the act done in God’s name more than God, then it is hypocrisy. Jesus spoke of works as acts of faith in Matthew 6:1-3. “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” The true acts of charity are the ones done out of love for God.

The problem with the people of Israel was not in their form of worship, but rather the attitude they brought to their worship. It focused more on themselves than on God. So sure were they about their piety and righteousness, they desired the hastening of the ‘Day of the Lord’, declaring their ‘faithfulness’ to God. Amos said they were in for a rude awakening: “Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the Day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.” (Amos 5:18,19) Amos went on to say that God hated their feast days and assemblies, and rejected all offerings as unacceptable. What God really wanted, said Amos, is justice and righteousness.

We might properly ask ourselves the same questions Amos asked the people of Israel. Do we want the Lord today? Do we anticipate with joy the Day of the Lord, or do we fear it? Are we letting judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream? Or are we worshiping in public with trumpets sounding before us?

Many today make assessments of worship on the basis of whether one likes something or not. This approach changes the proper question of “What can we do for the Lord in this church?” to “What can this church do for me?” Are we lured by entertainment in the church as a form of worship? Or are there elements of worship so important that it makes no difference if they are entertaining or not? Like Amos, we should believe that our worship experience should equip us to live godly lives on a regular basis.

The prophecy of Amos makes it quite clear that God is not interested in the outward form of worship, but rather the inward hearts of the people who would worship him. This is in harmony with the words of the Prophet Samuel: “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”—I Sam. 15:22

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