Sermon Snippet – Let Justice Run Down as Waters
INTRODUCTION – Amos – planter, poet, preacher, prophet – wrote one of my favorite books of the Bible. Today, I want to focus on two verses that provide a stark and stunning contrast. Both Amos 5:7 and 5:24 speak of justice (the meaning of the King James Version’s “judgment”). This subject of fairness is a volatile one now, just as it was then.
1. INJUSTICE REMAINS A PROBLEM
God condemns those “who turn [justice] to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth” (5:7). Wormwood, a plant which grows in Israel, is noted for its bitter taste. It is used as a metaphor for the failure of Israel’s elites to dispense appropriate justice. These wealthy leaders denigrated honest judges (5:10), took advantage of the poor (5:11), and engaged in bribery (5:12). The blatant corruption of that era is mirrored in ours. We see it on open display in what is called lawfare, a term used approvingly by its postmodernist promulgators. At the other extreme is the casual dismissal of genuine criminal acts, an approach which harms the poor, who are disproportionately impacted by crime. The Biblical principle of restitution, which is both deterrent and remedial, is rarely employed. If Amos were preaching in our cities today, his message would be unchanged. Of course it would be the same, for both God and His Word are immutable (Hebrews 13:8; Matthew 24:35).
2. WE NEED A STABLE STANDARD OF JUSTICE
In the dry and thirsty land of Israel, water is particularly precious. Amos uses water imagery to challenge us: “But let [justice] run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream” (5:24). He is not speaking of so-called social justice, which is at best a fluid term. It is not even a watered-down version of real justice; it is the opposite of God’s justice and creates division, bitterness, and unrighteousness. In fact, the only modifier that can reasonably be placed in front of justice is “God’s” (or a synonym such as “divine”). Man’s standards, even if well-intentioned (and they often are not), will tend to injustice, for “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). Our sin nature affects everything, including our standards of justice. If we will not gratefully acknowledge that God is infinitely higher than we are, then we will inevitably and inexorably slip and slide into shifting and shoddy standards. Like a steady stream or reliable river is God’s constancy. We need His stable standard of justice.
3. WE CAN IMPACT OUR CULTURE FOR JUSTICE
We are commanded to choose against evil and for good (Amos 5:14-15). How do we fulfill this foundational command? Let us quickly consider four ways (of many). First, as I frequently say and write, we need to think clearly and differently (Romans 12:1-2). Sentimentality and slogans cannot replace careful, rigorous analysis. Wisdom, as we have studied the last two weeks, really matters: entire books of the Bible are devoted to it. Second, we cannot permit ourselves to be cowed or bullied by the blattings of the enemies of God. Intimidation is always a tool of Satan; it is never from God. Instead, we are to stand up sturdily and speak strongly without becoming virulent and vitriolic like the world (I Peter 3:15). Third, we must not be governed by partiality (James 2:1-4). We must reject postmodernist dogma such as disparate impact thinking (which is the antithesis of thinking). Jesus dealt with a variety of people, including Samaritan, Roman, and Jewish. He cared about them as individuals, for salvation is an individual matter. When we insist, as the Bible does, that all of us are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), we can become people of justice. We can then begin to serve others well, as Jesus taught so eloquently (Matthew 20:25-28). Fourth, on this Pentecost Sunday, let us rejoice in God the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives. A good test for each Christian is to evaluate the direction of decisions, both our and others: does this decision move toward true freedom? II Corinthians 3:17 states emphatically, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Justice and freedom always move toward God. A song that I like includes the line, “They say they want the kingdom, but they don’t want God in it.” Man’s standards cannot create a kingdom worth living in; the Spirit’s standard sets us free to live joyfully and justly.
CONCLUSION – We can be bitter wormwood or fresh water – the choice is ours. Using the imagery of life-giving water, Jesus offers each of us the fullness of His eternal salvation and the fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39). May we choose to receive everlasting life by trusting in Jesus as Savior, and may we all become vessels of His justice – the only justice that exists.