Saturday 06 October 2007
- Bible Book:
- Amos
"Even 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. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream". (v.22-24)
Background
We have here the first mention in the Hebrew Bible of 'the dayof the Lord'. This was to be an occasion on which the enemies ofGod would be judged and the people of God would be delivered andenjoy great harvests and victories. As such it was a day to whichthe people of Israel looked forward.
The words of Amos must have come as something of a shock. In hiseyes many Israelites had made themselves enemies of God throughtheir corrupt behaviour. For them, therefore, the day of the Lordshould not be eagerly anticipated, for it will be one of darkness,not light.
What was particularly galling for Amos was the cloak of religiousobservance that masked the corruption. His is an impassioned pleafor social justice and a reminder to the people of the socialimplications of their traditions and the law. Religion that failsto see the important relationship between justice and worship isnot acceptable to God.
Amos was a radical and courageous figure, speaking out, often inisolation, against a society that had lost its way and those withinit who wielded power. His aim was to rebuke in order to reform andto align himself with the poor and the oppressed in order to effectchange.
To Ponder
The view still persists in some quarters thatreligion and politics should not mix; Amos would be baffled by sucha stance! But how should the two relate to each other?
The prophetic voice is often radical andunpopular. Is there a need for the church (including you) to bemore prophetic in its utterances and behaviour - and if so, in whatways?