Thoughts for the Day

Even 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.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In a break from Paul and Corinthians we look at the prophet Amos today, who lived 800 years before Jesus. He was unusually a shepherd, not being trained as a prophet, but God chose him to speak to His people. Amos came from a small village south of Jerusalem in the Kingdom of Judah, but his prophecies are largely aimed at the northern Kingdom of Israel. This Kingdom has become rich under King Jeroboam II, and the people have forgotten God, to live a life of luxury.

Amos doesn't pull any punches but argues that they have got their priorities wrong. It's not enough to offer God sacrifices while they continue to sin; their worship is a sham! God calls them to a life based on justice - justice to God and to His people. It should permeate their whole life, like a stream of water. Amos finally prophecies the destruction of the two Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Today we often don't get our priorities right either. We're called to worship God with justice - to confess our sin and do something about changing our life; also to help ensure justice in the world, to make life fairer for others in any way that we can. The media argues that Christians should only be concerned with the Church, but Amos says they are wrong. All Christians have a duty to ensure justice in the world. It should be part of our DNA!

Lord God,
You call us to worship You
and to change our lives,
also to love You and our neighbour.
May we get our priorities right
and do both of these things,
to bring justice to You and to
Your people.
Amen.