Allow Judgment and Righteousness Amos 5:24

Amos the “herdsman” prophet continued to pronounce the LORD's judgment upon Israel which included God's rejection of their “sacrifices of worship, and rather than hear the “songs” and “melodies” of the people of Israel, the LORD refused to accept them. In chapter five and verse twenty-four of his prophesy, Amos wrote the LORD's call for “judgment to run down” and “righteousness” to flow “as a mighty stream” where we read:

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

The verse begins, “But let judgment run down as waters,...” Amos began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated, “let judgment” or “justice, court, process, procedure and litigation” “run down” which literally means “roll away or up” and figuratively means “commit, remove, seek occasion, trust and wallow” “as waters” or “waste waters such as urine”. The LORD desired for “justice” to be abundant in Israel rather than religious “sacrifices”.

The verse continues, “...and righteousness as a mighty stream.” Amos added, “and righteousness” which means “justice, rule, law and truthfulness” “as a mighty stream” or “perpetual, constant, perennial, ever-flowing and enduring torrent, flood, shaft or wadi”. The LORD also desired for “law and truthfulness” to be the driving desire of the people rather than simply singing songs or playing music.

When we think through these words of Amos, we understand the LORD's desire for us to be “just” and “righteous”. He wants us to be “obedient” to His word and willing to follow and keep His ways. “Judgment” and “righteousness” were to “flow” from the people of Israel rather than “sacrificial offerings”, and those who follow Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD fulfill each of these. Let us allow “justice” and “truth” to “stream” from our lives as “living waters” to those with whom we have to do.

Next time Amos shares about “judgment” and “righteousness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.