Thursday, June 20, 2013

June 21 Amos 5-9 Justice and Righteousness Must Be Continuous

Amos takes dead aim on the emptiness of religious ritual devoid of societal justice and unethical religious observations. In Chapter 5, Amos relates God's hatred of the Israelites sacrifices, festivals, and singing in a society filled with injustice and unrighteousness.

Amos says, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream." Water was a valuable resource in Israel. Rivers are few and most streams were wadis - dry except during the rainy season, if it rains! A river or a never-failing stream would be of great value in the land - a sure source of life - of refreshment - so are justice and righteousness. I wouldn't press the difference between the two - both relate to people doing the right things (according to God) to and for each other. God expects these to be a constant. If they are, He loves our worship.

Worship should fill our entire lives - not just at service on Sunday mornings. It is how we relate to God all week and how we relate to people all week. Living in God's will all week makes our Sunday Service worship pleasing to God. Otherwise, we are just going through religious motions - empty and not pleasing to God. In fact, as stated in Amos, God HATES it.

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