Today's Scripture
God’s words to flow – Amos 5:21-24
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Amos 1-5
21 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
What does this passage mean to me/us
The word of God is poured out to Amos, who lets it flow to the people. He says, “The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken— who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:8) It is God’s prophesy that shakes the core of our selfishness. The thought of wanting to live according to our ways will one day be awakened by the sound of God’s word.
In the well-known scripture needs to be understood with this context. The leaders of Israel and the world were living for their own ways. They collected a hefty tax on the poor and profited for themselves. The Message says, “Because you run roughshod over the poor, and take the bread right out of their mouths…” (Amos 5:11 The Message). When God called God’s people to become a blessing to all nation, how can that be fulfilled if they are taking the blessings to fill their own greed?
That is why God insists that God’s ways need to be proclaimed. When God’s way is to be proclaimed, it gives restoration to the covenant.
The Message says, “Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want” (Amos 5:24 The Message). When God’s way is restored, then we will see the world restored, because that is what God wants.
Prayer
Lord, help us to see your ways, as we turn away from our own ways. Through our day, as we follow your ways, help us see streams of justice being restored. In Christ name, AMEN.
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