“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream!” (Amos 5:24)

Amos was a prophet living among a people who were involved in religious activities, such as celebrating festivals and offering sacrifices, but whose hearts were far from God. God rejected their activities because they’d turned away from His commands, including those regarding justice toward the needy and oppressed.

Instead of religious ceremonies devoid of love for God and others, Amos wrote that God longed for His people to demonstrate genuine concern for the welfare of all people, a generous way of living that would be a mighty river bringing life wherever it flowed.

Jesus taught the same truth that loving God is connected with loving our neighbors. As we all seek to love God, may it come from hearts that also treasure true justice.

Daily Questions

1. How might you love God through pursuing justice for others?
2. What are examples of generous living toward the needy or oppressed that encourage you?

Daily Thoughts

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love is like a mighty stream that brings justice to all. Help us to join You in Your healing work.

Amos 5: 21-24

“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream!”

Bonus Information

The pairing of the words justice and righteousness as seen in Amos 5:24 is common in Amos as well as other books of the Old Testament. As those who were in a covenant relationship with the One whose rule is based on righteousness and justice and who loves these virtues, the people of God were to reflect the same in their relationships with each other. When they didn’t, God challenged and corrected them. The appearance of these two words together strongly suggests that justice and righteousness are parallel terms and thereby related. One way of viewing the terms is to see justice (acting fairly and judicially) as the fruit of being rooted in righteousness (what is right as it relates to God and man).