“God judges sin because he loathes what it does to us and to others. There is no other motive in God, nothing deeper than His love for us. He wants us to loathe sin, too—and be its executioner. If we won’t, he will!” —David Roper (Elijah: A Man Like Us)
God hates sin. He hates injustice. So when His people were living unjust lives—enjoying prosperity but showing no compassion for the poor—He called them on it.
He sent Amos to deliver His verdict.
The prophet didn’t hold back when God gave him His message of condemnation. He let the people of Israel have it. Called by God from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Amos trekked north to the shrine at Bethel. And there he boldly proclaimed God’s message in that place God abhorred—a shrine that used a calf idol in worship. This sinful, ugly place reflected the idolatrous nature of the heart of the people of the Northern Kingdom.
“You trample the poor . . . . You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts,” Amos bellowed (Amos 5:11-12). God had seen the injustice of His people, and the prophet had been sent to expose their “sins and the depth of [their] rebellions” (Amos 5:12). God saw through the nation’s false worship. He said through Amos, “Away with your noisy hymns of praise!” (Amos 5:23).
What would He say of you and me? Are we worshiping Him while coddling injustice and ignoring the pleas of the poor?
“I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living” (Amos 5:24). These words, spoken by Amos, reveal the just, loving heart of God. May we embrace His call to seek justice for the poor and needy in this age. Let the waters of life and righteousness rise and flood our land.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 12:1-11
More:
Read Deuteronomy 10:18 and consider what it says about the heart of God.
Next:
When you consider that all people are made in God’s image, how does this affect your view of the poor and needy? How can you help provide justice for those who need it in your part of the world?
Gene on August 28, 2014 at 7:53 am
This is a big issue as we see more and more people out of work or under employed in our area. Hand-outs are important, but it’s more than that. The church needs to be a place to help people and make connections between the needy and a means to get them out of a situation or poverty cycle. It’s also easy to sit in judgment of life styles and bad choices, yet showing grace is a huge witness. Very relevant topic and Scripture, Tom.
Tom Felten on August 28, 2014 at 9:07 am
Gene, I like you idea of truly listening to the needy—not simply rushing in with what we think will fix the problem. This involves them in the solution and extends dignity to them even as we seek justice for them.
Gary Shultz on August 28, 2014 at 8:06 am
You’re a very intelligent man and I can’t disagree with what you say. The space here does not permit to disclose my entire struggle with this; however, I find a marked difference when Jesus approached sinners. The thrust became love and compassion; I seem to often lack. I am finding that love and light need to proceed correction or the thing we often do condemnation. We are probably on the same page; however, I see a lot of critical attitudes coming from the family built on love. Thanks
Tom Felten on August 28, 2014 at 9:16 am
Thanks for sharing, Gary. Yes, love and compassion were certainly lived out by Jesus—even as He touched the lives of those who were sinners . . . like us. May we seek the very best for those we strive to help, providing the words and resources they will truly help. Sometimes this might mean holding back and allowing people to take their own steps, but may we be there to cheer them on!
athalia on August 28, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Gene, I agree with you on how we need to help the needy. I know people that are out of work. While they appreciate the help, their main concern is having a job.