Injustice

Judged for Injustice (Amos 2:4-10) Main theme of Amos - justice must be restored. Prophets qualification - Lord Himself called him Perversions of justice Attempt to blend in with the unbelieving majority "let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream" (Amos 5:24) "Do not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom. 12:2) seriously violated the righteous hollow standard for moral or ethical behavior God’s judgments are pending, not only against the though they continued at the appropriate pagan nations, but also against Israel’s arch rival kingdom of Judah! In the Lord’s eyes the people of Judah are adopted an appearance and demeanor that was no different no better than the pagan nations, because "they have rejected from that of the pagan nations and peoples by which they were after which their ancestors walked" (2:4). “Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of of sandals— 7 they who trample the head of the poor the dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way; father and son go in to the same girl, so that my holy Israelites’ name is profaned; they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink wine bought with fines they (Amos 4:6–7) (Garments, See Ex.22:26) apathy neglect a people set apart Corruption of the court system. 1) Deny justice to oppressed. 2:7 a) Corruption of the courts. 2) Despise rebukers, truthful people. 5:10

a) Gates were areas for courts. 5:10 1> Trials were informal. A> An elder as judge. B> Prominent citizens as jury. 2> Integrity important, and lacking. b) Those who rebuked or reproved the courts for shoddy justice were despised. (5:10) 3) Take brides, oppress poor. 5:12 a) One thing made it work - bribery. 5:12 2> The rich could afford plenty of justice. b) Justice turned to poison. 6:12 4) Prudent keep quiet. 5:13 (Silence) a) Maintain justice! 5:15 D. Oppression of the poor. 1) Dishonest scales, business practices. 8:5 a) Needy sold for a pair of sandals. 2:6; 8:6 2) Trample poor, force to give grain. 5:11 (2:7) a) Rich have made poor into sharecroppers. 1> Land laws strict in Moses’ day. A> Each family guaranteed land. B> Could not be sold. 2> Rich overturned it. A> Story of Naboth and Ahab\Jezebel. 1 Kings 21 b) Rich end up richer, poor driven from land. 8:4 2) Two images: a) Roman - blindfolded justice. b) Jewish - open-eyed justice (= affirmative duty to seek justice) 1> Passionately seek out wrong, right it. 2> Help weak and poor Fair business dealing (Lev.19:35-37, Deut. 25:15, Prov. 11:1, Prov. 16:11, Ezek. 45:10) Judging fairly (Deut. 16:18, Prov. 17:15, Ex. 23:6-8) We are incapable of perfect justice on our own (Ecc. 7:20)

Righteousness is doing the right thing. Justice is putting righteousness into practice Aspect of Fairness Micah 6:8 8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy." To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice (Prov. 21:3)