Amos 5:18-24 (NRSV)
Read Amos 5:18-24 on biblegateway.com
Verse 18Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you want the day of the Lord? It is darkness, not light; Verse 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. Verse 20Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?
Verse 21I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Verse 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. Verse 23Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. Verse 24But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.
Devotion
Ouch! This text seems a bit harsh. God is angry at the people—anger, being a God-given emotion that says, “This is not right!” The text speaks to us just as much in the 21st century as it did in ancient biblical times. The prophet Amos reminds us of the work we are called to as God’s people. We can have our beautiful sanctuaries, liturgies, appropriate liturgical garb, and dynamic sermons. We can leave our worship space gloating over our generous charity, feeling satisfied that we have done our part. However, if we do not work for justice as God’s people, we fail in our worship and witness. In order to let righteousness flow like an ever-flowing stream, we must work to change those things that perpetuate the need for charity and contribute to the “isms” of this world.
Prayer
O God of justice, use my words and actions to build up rather than tear down. Use me as an instrument of your justice and peace. Amen.
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