“You have turned justice into bitterness” (v. 7).
What happens to righteousness when the courts do not give justice? That their rulings are for their own benefit? For power. For money. For self-righteousness.
It. Is. Bitter.
Wow have we seen that the last few years. Justice has not been for all. And it is bitter.
And it is not new.
Amos says they
“trample on the poor” (v. 11)
“you oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts” (v. 12)
Basically those with the most expensive lawyers win. And those who tell lies get paid well and do not see justice.
But the LORD says to the Israelites that He will bring justice. He is the ultimate one people have to answer to. He tells them plainly,
“Seek good, not evil. that you may live; Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph” (v. 14-15).
But clearly they had no plans to listen to the LORD. Surely bad things would never come them; Amos was fear mongering and speaking religious nonsense. But the LORD God said justice was inevitable. Then he says some shocking things.
First he tells them not to go to Bethel, Gilgal and Beersheba. This might not mean much to us. But there were the very cities that the Israelites encountered God. It would be somewhat like telling Muslims to not go to Mecca.
And he’s saying, ‘don’t go these places.’ Instead…
“Seek the LORD and live…” (v. 6).
The cities were meant to be places of supporting the worship of the Lord, not the replacement. So stop going to these places for now, and just seek the LORD himself.
Next he says even stronger words.
“I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burn offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring me choice offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps” (v. 21-22).
This was shocking. The LORD said he HATED their gatherings before him. Their music was just noise.
How could he say that? Because they came to him with their worship, their tithes and offerings, and yet they were committing sin after sin. How could he be pleased with their worship when the oppressed were crying out to Him for simple justice? He couldn’t.
Worship without obedience is not pleasing to the LORD. It’s just religiosity and God hates it.
Instead he says to them this:
“let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (v. 24).
But again they would not have it. They had lost their eternal perspective and this life became temporary. When that happens they must ensure comfort in this life at the expense of others and with the justification of sin.
The LORD grieves.
He tells them that this time they will be like a virgin woman who is attacked but will no longer be able to get up. She will lie there with no one to help her up.
He says they will go out a thousand strong against their enemy, but only 100 will be left. A city will send out its finest 100 men to battle, and only 10 will survive.
He will then send them into exile beyond Damascus.
Oh if they would only have repented, walking in righteousness and pursued the LORD God Almighty.
Oh if only we will repent, walk in righteousness, and pursue the LORD God Almighty.
