Let Justice Roll On

“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” - Amos 5:24

Throughout the bible, Old Testament and New Testament, God is seen to be on the side of the poor and the oppressed. He is a just God whose justice is not limited to spiritual matters but also extends to social inequities. In fact, the two go hand in hand for how is it possible to truly love one’s neighbor without being concerned for his physical and material well-being.

God speaks through the prophet Amos to level judgment upon Israel. They were enjoying great prosperity. Yet, they had turned away from God, neglecting to give Him thanks for blessing them. They had turned to other gods and those who were rich treated the poor unfairly. Some of the rich Israelites even sold their poor brothers into slavery. However, Israel would soon learn that even the rich cannot escape God’s judgment. Soon Israel would be conquered by Assyria and the rich who had once sold their brothers into slavery would become slaves themselves.

God took no pleasure in Israel’s worship. He did not accept their offerings and their songs were as noise to Him. (Amos 5:21-23). God did not want the people to offer Him religious rituals while their hearts were turned away from Him and they sought to gain for themselves at the expense of others.

God is on the side of justice and those who serve Him must also be on the side of justice.

The Law given by God to Israel was comprised of a series of guidelines that when instituted provided the framework for the nation’s social and political culture and served as the basis for Israel’s worship, relationship with God and with each other. In Leviticus 19:9-10 God says, “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord your God.” This scripture clearly establishes God’s concern that provision be made for the poor and the needy. Even foreigners were provided for, in Matthew 25:35-36 and 40, Jesus makes it clear that it is impossible to follow him and not be actively involved in reaching out to help meet the needs of the poor and the oppressed. He says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. … The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me.’

When Jesus Christ returns for his church, he will not take you with him just because you have attended church service faithfully every Sunday for fifty years. He will not take you with him just because you hold an office or position of leadership in the church. He will not even take you with him just because you have given a lot of money to the church. He will be looking to see how you have responded to the needs of those around you. He will be looking for tangible demonstrations of God’s love to those who are sick, foreigners, hungry, in prison, unemployed, homeless, and in need of the basic necessities. These demonstrations can be made through one to one ministry, by reaching out to various groups and populations within your community, and also by being an advocate for social and political systems within our society that address the needs of the poor and the oppressed.

As we each reach out, justice will indeed roll down like a mighty river and righteousness like a never-failing stream.

Now Lord God, open up our hearts to care, open our eyes to see, use our hands to serve, and let our voices cry out for justice for all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Apostle Pastor Dr. Florence E. Canada
Pastor
Living Water Christian Fellowship