justice and judgment

Good morning all,
This morning's reading contains probably the best known line in the Book of Amos: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream;" made famous for many of us by Martin Luther King, Jr. As we've seen before, the idea here is that worship without justice offends God.

The other part of this passage refers to the "Day of the Lord," which is a slightly unclear reference. It seems to refer to an understanding that at some point God would intervene to give Israel victory. More generally it points to the assurance that God is on Israel's side. Amos warns the comfortable that that won't turn out to be the case. Their oppression of the poor means that when God acts in judgment they will not like the result. God wants us to change our lives whenever we are acting against justice. So let justice roll down like waters and let us turn to God in hope and repentance.

Blessings,
Sam

Amos 5:16-27
16Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord: In all the squares there shall be wailing; and in all the streets they shall say, “Alas! alas!” They shall call the farmers to mourning, and those skilled in lamentation, to wailing; 17in all the vineyards there shall be wailing, for I will pass through the midst of you, says the Lord. 18Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you want the day of the Lord? It is darkness, not light; 19as if someone fled from a lion, and was met by a bear; or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall, and was bitten by a snake. 20Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?

21I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. 23Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. 24But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream. 25Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 26You shall take up Sakkuth your king, and Kaiwan your star-god, your images, which you made for yourselves; 27therefore I will take you into exile beyond Damascus, says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.