SOCIAL
JUSTICE (Part 2)
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Two weeks ago we began a brief look at the area
of social justice from a Christian perspective. The instruction from God’s word
is clear as stated in Psalm 11:7, “For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice;
upright men will see His face.” Its a principle that
God puts much importance on and it is seen distinctly in the book of
Amos.
Amos was known as the country prophet. By profession he was a
shepherd, a herdsman and a cultivator of sycamore figs. Today we would have
called him a farmer! John T. Willis said this about him, "These
occupations made it necessary for Amos to do a large amount of traveling to the
wool and cattle markets of Israel
and Judah.
In this way, he learned firsthand the military, social, and economic conditions
and practices of rich and poor alike." Amos was not a
"professional" prophet, but a common man utilized by the Lord to
deliver His Word to His people. "I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a
prophet ... but the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to
me, 'Go prophesy to My people Israel.' And
now hear the Word of the Lord!" (Amos 7:14-16). He had no special
training. He was not a graduate of the School of the Prophets (variously
referred to as "bands" -- I Samuel 10:5, 10, and
"companies" -- I Samuel 19:20, and "sons of the prophets"
-- I Kings 20:35), nor was he descended from or related to any prophets. He was
not even a citizen of Israel
(the northern kingdom), but rather of Judah (the southern kingdom).
Nevertheless, God sent him to Israel
to proclaim the Word to the people of the northern kingdom. He was not a man of
wealth, yet was sent to warn the wealthy; not a man of luxury, or one who was
lazy, yet sent to those who were both. All of this was designed to separate the
MAN from the MESSAGE. There was to be nothing about this man which would
attract a personal following. It was the message God desired the people to
focus upon, not the messenger! He also was the first of the eighth century
writing prophets and voiced his messages from God during the reign of Jeroboam
II and King Uzziah. The second Jeroboam had
successfully restored Israel’s
frontiers similarly to how it was during the reigns of David and Solomon. Peace
had brought prosperity and prosperity luxury. There was also a religious boom,
as the local sanctuaries were crowded with worshipers.
But alongside these externals, the nation suffered from a profound
social and moral decay. In every sphere of society Amos saw evils that needed
to be exposed. In the law, court magistrates trampled on the face of the poor
for justice had to be bought with bribes as seen in Amos 5:12. In the
marketplace, merchants were guilty of “skimping the measure” and “boosting the
price” in chapter 8:5. In upper class mansions, the wealthy were indulging in
luxurious living, eating and drinking, while ignoring the plight of the poor as
seen in chapter 4:1 and 6:4-6. In the sanctuaries, worshipers were longing for
the festivals to be over so they could get back to their buying and selling as
seen once again in chapter 8:5.
One may perhaps single out in Amos’ teaching one particular
distinctive. Amos insisted that privilege brings responsibility not immunity to
the judgment of God. This is well illustrated in the opening two chapters of
Amos’s prophecy. He warned of God’s judgment on the six surrounding nations - Syria, Philistia, Tyre, Edom,
Ammon, and Moab. One can easily imagine the
growing enthusiasm of the crowd. But suddenly Amos added God’s coming judgment
on Judah and Israel too.
True, they were God’s chosen and covenant people, but this would bring
punishment, not immunity to it. It is a solemn warning to us too. As they
forgot the goodness of God in bringing peace and prosperity it is eerily
similar to our world today. Justice is cast aside for profit and the poor and
oppressed lose out. Just ask a relative of someone who lost an innocent victim
in the Haitian earthquake of this year because of greed and disregard for
proper building codes. May we all learn something from this ancient Hebrew
farmer called Amos.
By: David Jones