Can you imagine a scene where individuals consistently and vehemently criticize those who champion justice and truth?
Can you picture a time in history when leaders and influential figures openly despise those who correct them in settings traditionally reserved for legal and civic decision-making?
What would it be like to live within a system that not only neglects truth and justice but also actively detests these principles?
This is the situation that ordinary Israelites faced in the 8th century B.C.
Can you think of a time when the powerful habitually oppressed the poor, harnessing their labor to fuel their own luxuries?
What about a time when workers are exploited and subjected to unfair constraints, leading to their further impoverishment? Do you know of such times?
Amos did and declared God’s opposition to it over and over to his listeners.
Have you noticed that these are not just isolated incidents? Rather they represent systemic corruption where leaders, who are supposed to uphold justice, actively participate in oppressing the righteous poor and marginalizing the needy.
Technology in 2023 involves space travel, satellites, cell phones, and an array of amazing conveniences.
Unfortunately, morality in 2023 has not grown beyond that of 8th century BC Israel. This is the theme of the prophet’s message in Amos 5.10-13.
God’s Remedy
God’s remedy for the problems of Israel, or any other nation in history, is to seek Him.
Seek the Lord and live,
or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire,
and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it. (Amos 5.6)
Two key attributes define God’s character: justice and righteousness. When we seek God, these qualities will also become a part of our character.
What is tragic is that the so-called people of God turn His justice to the bitter herb, wormwood, and grind His righteousness into the dirt.
Ah, you who turn justice to wormwood
and bring righteousness to the ground! (Amos 5.7)
To genuinely seek God, we must also pursue His goodness. We need to embrace and love what is good according to His standards and strive to establish His justice in every part of society where we have influence.
Seek good and not evil,
that you may live,
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
just as you have said.
Hate evil and love good,
and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. (Amos 5.14-15)
When reflecting on today’s article, I remember the words of an old black preacher: “Every pot has to sit on its own bottom.”
This reminds me that I am only responsible for myself, and I must fully embrace that responsibility.
I must wholeheartedly seek God, pursue His justice and righteousness, and strive for the good He has guided me to do.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 