Social justice in the book of amos the marcus j borg foundation. In the old testament book of amos, the basic message of prophet amos stresses the divine demand for social justice and concern for the oppressed in 8th century israel. Social injustice bible verses in the king james version kjv about social injustice. The book of amos is a stinging rebuke of a nation that has rejected and forgotten god. As much as can be discerned, amos was the first prophet to write down his book. The book of amos reveals that many social injustices were practiced in israel during the reign of jeroboam, the time when this herdsman prophet was used by the lord to warn the nation against its. Many among israels wealthy members of the society at the time of amos chose to be unjust and to treat the disadvantaged as they wished. One can safely assume that amos committed his revelations to writing and. What were the issues of social injustice addressed by amos, and how did he address them. The lord rebukes his people for turning justice into wormwood 7, for hating the one who speaks the truth 10, for trampling on the poor 11. Seven passages on social justice 5 the gospel coalition. For amos, most foundationally, justice links inextricably with life.
Micah admonishes the people, telling them that they should have known better. Amos continues in verse 15, exhorting the israelites to hate evil and love good. Social justice in the book of amos the marcus j borg. Their strength, their horses their privilege, nothing will save them. The book of amos is the earliest of the book of the twelve prophets, and is relevant today, as it addresses social injustice, so prevalent in our world. Then you command your husbands, bring us something to drink. Amos lived during the reign of jeroboam ii, who was a successful king economically and politically. The book of amos was written during the era of divided kingdoms of israel but in an age which is much prosperous than the previous times especially the northern kingdom of isreal with ruler jeroboam ii reached at such a level of growth and prosperity as was not seen after david and solomon. This passage levels the charge of injustice against still another group in israel which shared responsibility for the evil that existed within the nation. The major themes in the book of amos judgment, injustice, lament, the sin of gods people, repentance are not easy subjects. Pdf amos motive for social justice joshua stewart academia. Rather, for amos true religion had to come out from the bottom of the heart, and to arise from true faith to the lord. Dangers of economics injustice, nature and source of riches.
The economically weak could find no redress in the courts and no one to champion their causeuntil the coming of amos, a shepherd from tekoa in judah, who also said that he was a dresser of sycamore trees. O you who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth amos 5. This particular verse in the book of amos captures. The revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place.
The concept of justice in the book of amos heartwell. Pdf social justice and the minor prophets of the scriptures. No justice amen ethics, social aliens, believers duty oppression, nature of strangers orphans justice gentiles, in ot responsibility, for gods world oppressing foreigners foreigners widows cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow. Due to their social injustice and cultic religion, what came next was the day of the lord. Read more in the illustrated online bible study project. Amos, herdsman of tekoa, was sent from god with a powerful message of correction for the ancient house of israel. Later in the book of amos it relates that the oppressed couldnt even get a defense in many situations. While israel was prosperous at the time, it was also a time marked by social injustice a time similar to our own. In chapters 6 to 8, amos has a vision of the destruction of jerusalem, followed by visions of locusts, fire, a plumb line and ripe fruit all indicating destruction on account of immoral living. The superscription, or heading, was probably added by a later editor, but it may nevertheless give accurate information. Amoss writings showed that he had a heart for the oppressed and voiceless.
One of the efforts of the great organized systems of churchianity has always been to make it appear that the bible and the teachings of christianity support their politicoreligious ideologies, thus debasing the true teachings of christ to the level of a mere moral philosophy and, through the various manmade organizations. Even as verses of amos 5 are a dirge, verses 89 are in the form of a hymn praising the true god, the transforming god. By ted grimsrud lets now look at a place where the bible uses the explicit language of justice. But underneath this veneer of material prosperity was idolatry that led to empty religious ritual, mistreatment of the poor, and other forms of social injustice. Much later in the book, god condemns the fasting of the people, declaring their fasts unacceptable because there is. Economically israel had never had it so good since the times of solomon. The times of absolute monarchy of these two kings coincided from 767 753 bc so that amos ministry is to find during this period mainly.
Composed of seven chapters, the book is similar in many ways to the book of amos. He prophesied in the northern kingdom of israel somewhere. Then the second part of these verses discuss all out injustice and cruelty to the poor in regards to taking garments. Oct 01, 2007 amos message of gods opposition to injustice, his criticism of the peoples worship of material things, and his witness of gods special concern for the poor and oppressed, affirm that the worship of god in any age is worthless if social oppression and injustice are ignored. Often, they were included in their writings and homilies scathing rebukes towards those who would impose injustice upon the masses. Like amos, micah calls the peoples injustice to light. Bible verses about social injustice bible verses related to social injustice from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order. At least three aspects of the issue dealt with by amos concern the nature of god, the role of the individual, and the role of the social system. The book of kings does not refer to this great change. The impact these laws had on the book of amos is monumental. The days are coming, declares the sovereign lord, when i will send a famine through the land not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a. The prophet amos as a model for addressing issues of. The gospel in amos topical studies search, find verses. Literature concerning social injustice and human suffering.
Amos, advocate for social justice bible characters. They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals 2. The book of amos was likely written between 760 and 753 b. Social injustice was rampant during amos s time 93. Literature concerning social injustice and human suffering fiction only books about social injustice and human suffering. Social injustice denounced 8ah, you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is room for no one but you, and you are left to live alone in t. Jul 06, 20 later in the book of amos it relates that the oppressed couldnt even get a defense in many situations.
Israels sins, though, largely involve national and personal deceit, disobedience to gods commandments, and creating social injustice by being faithless toward fellow man to get for the self. The bible has a lot to say on the subject of injustice. Amos teaches that guilty nations get punished, whether those nations are the enemies of israel or are israel itself. Hear this word, you cows of bashan on mount samaria, you women who oppress the poor. In amos s view these feasts could not accomplish anything religious. And in light of the other old testament documents they had at the time, they indeed should have known better. It is a stirring warning to all of the dangers of apostasy, rebellion and complacency. Apr 29, 2010 slowly but surely ill make it through this intermittent series on social justice. Much has been made of the fact that amos was a shepherda man more comfortable among hills and dales than.
Social justice in the book of amos assignment free sample. Marcus borg speaks on the topic of social justice in the bible, specifically book of amos, he looks at the societal context and world orders. Amos ministered according to his own indication during the time of king uzziah of judah 791 740 bc and king jeroboam ii of israel 793 753 bc. Studying the book of the prophet amos is an excellent way to begin a study of the prophetic tradition of israel. But instead of fearing god, he worshiped idols and tolerated social injustice. Amos mission is directed to his neighbor to the north, israel. Injustice permeates our world, yet as christians we often turn a blind eye to the suffering of others except saying, i will pray for you them. The only ways we have to assign a date to amos are the superscription to the book 1. By vic gill the book of amos is short, exciting, snappy and full of themes which make out for a popular war movie. Also includes a pic of the list of the social injustices of israel. The most popular bible verses from amos found 146 verses amos 4. Amos has much to say about oppression and the plight of the poor in israel, so it is only natural that his book has become a focal point for. I hate, i despise your festivalsbut let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream amos 5. Despite the fact that israel certainly had problems with idolatry in his time, amos never explicitly condemns itnor any other sin pertaining to.
Social injustice the bible is filled w examples of what god wants. In the bible it is the social world of the premodern or ancients. The biblical books bearing their names suggest that amos, isaiah, and micah talked a lot about economic and social justice, often announcing. Amos was the earliest prophet whose words are preserved in the form of a book.
The fifth chapter of amos contains some of the most striking and most famous justice language in the bible. The rich and clever in israel treated the poor like dirt and denied them justice because they were not wealthy enough to bribe the judges v. The words justice and righteousness are used together three times in two chapters of the book of amos amos 5. Amos with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Sep 30, 2016 here are seven bible verses that directly relate to social injustice. And we must never forget that amos is speaking to us, the church of god, the israel of god. We can almost hear the sadness in gods voice as, through amos, the lord speaks out about the lack of compassion shown by the rich people of israel for the plight of their poor fellow countrymen. Amos was a vigorous spokesman for gods justice and righteousness, whereas hosea emphasized gods love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. Aug 26, 2015 amos has much to say about oppression and the plight of the poor in israel, so it is only natural that his book has become a focal point for discussions about social justice. Arguably, the book of amos is exclusively about morality and social justice. Social justice in amos the good book blog biola university.
What the prophet amos had to say about economic justice. Not only within israeljudah, but also in the foreign kingdoms around them. The quick view bible big ideas in amos big ideas in amos this book is just as applicable today as it was when it was written. Amos shows god demanding justice from them rather than worship. And the northern kingdom of israel is guilty of social injustice and empty religious ceremony.
Amos is a shepherd and a fruit picker from the judean village of tekoa when god calls him, even though he lacks an education or a priestly background. Micah attacked the corruption of those in high places and social injustice, and the book is divided into two sections. Jun 11, 2015 the book of amos forecasts disaster for the northern kingdom of israel in the form of assyrian invasion and exile as a result of entrenched religious hypocrisy and social injustice. Social justice in the book of amos essay 1445 words. Bible verses related to social justice from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order isaiah 1. Amos message of god s opposition to injustice, his criticism of the peoples worship of material things, and his witness of gods special concern for the poor and oppressed, affirm that the worship of god in any age is worthless if social oppression and injustice are ignored. Amos denounces social injustice in israel the bible journey. See more ideas about bible, bible verses and bible scriptures. The days are coming, declares the sovereign lord, when i will send a famine through the land not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the lord. Another major theme which amos addresses is the social injustice of a particular sex. Jesus replied, a man was going down from jerusalem to jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. All of the identified social justice passages in amos 2. What a weighty burden of sinfulness she has to bear verses 11, 12, so that the prudent are rendered dumb verse.
This list is intended to be wide in scope and should include everything from the personal hardships of immigrant families to the american slave trade to the horrific crimes against humanity during wwii. The justice discussed in amos is primarily about distributive justice as opposed to punitive or criminal justice. Amos great innovation on the biblical landscape is that israels moral state directly affects its national destiny. The bible journey amos denounces social injustice in israel. Amos, an older contemporary of hosea and isaiah, 2 was active c. The book of amos is the third of the twelve minor prophets in the tanakhold testament and the second in the greek septuagint tradition.
Amos does not see justice as an abstract principle but rather as a life force. Still sadder is her condition when she turns so heartlessly away from judgment and justice verses 7, 10. The kingdom of david is like a fallen tent, but in. Much has been made of the fact that amos was a shepherda man more comfortable among hills and dales than on city streetsa man more comfortable in the company of sheep than of peoplean unsophisticated man shocked at urban excess. Amos and social justice the caffeinated theologian. Amos condemns social injustice, an article from the international bible studies section of the dawn magazine, lesson for june 6, 1954.
The fullest discussion of justice in the old testament shows up in the book of amos. In spite of withering opposition, he fearlessly indicted the nation for its hollow, meaningless piety, social injustice and general immorality. With this background, we can understand why amos 5 calls attention to bethel. In a series of short poems, israels neighbors are accused of violence and injustice. Amos castigated the extravagance of the northern kingdom, who trampled the head of the poor into the dust of the earth 2. Other prophets, working in the sister kingdom of judah, are indignant about similar things. But the books of the prophets also contain visions of society without injustice.
But jeroboam ii did evil in the sight of the lord and did not turn the country from idolatry and injustice. It is a short book full of passion and anger whose subject matter is a protest in the name of god against social injustice, complacency and hypocrisy. Jun 24, 2009 the rich were getting richer and more powerful at the expense of the vulnerable, poor and oppressed, a society which god despised. The book of amos forecasts disaster for the northern kingdom of israel in the form of assyrian invasion and exile as a result of entrenched religious hypocrisy and social injustice. Here are seven bible verses that directly relate to social injustice. Critique against social injustice in the book of amos. Amos has much to say about oppression and the plight of the poor in israel, so it is only natural that his book has become a focal point for discussions about social justice. The most popular bible verses from amos top verses bible. The straightforward answer to this question has to do with the social injustice that was perpetrated by elite israelites against the poor, weak, and vulnerable in their midst. However, amos treatment of justice echoes what we also find elsewhere in the bible. The new testament is chock full of isaiah quotations and allusions. Amos reminds us that prayer, although central to a believers life, rings hollow when we dont love and serve others.
What were the issues of social injustice addressed by amos. The book of the prophet amos the prophet amos lived in the eighth century bc and was a common herdsman and keeper of sycamore fig trees 7. We are first introduced to the sins of israels neighbors in amos chapters 1 and 2, which the lord has found unfavorable which include. The key to the book of amos lies in its final few verses 9. Amos not only indited the wealthy but threatened them with gods power and judgement, destruction of their social order, and loss of their political status and exile. The description of this group indicates that it was made up of those who had become rich through the exploitation of the poor. God would no longer tolerate such social injustice. The social world of the bible meaning the economic and political systems of the world.
The first verse of this book identifies the author as amos, who was among the herdsmen of tekoa 1. This post looks at the two sides of the social justice debate, and then suggests a third middle way on social justice issues. His book should be first if the listing was chronological, as he lived just prior to hosea. The prophet amos as a model for addressing issues of economic. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, who bore witness to the word of god and to the testimony of jesus christ, even to all that he saw. Amos prophesied during the reigns of uzziah over judah b. Why has god become so angry with a people that he has so richly blessed. Social justice and the minor prophets of the scriptures. Amos, thus, was no professional prophet nor a member of a prophetic guild. Isaiah is a topic we could spend months and months studying. Amos connects the injustice he sees around him to a society bent on wealth and prosperity. Sep 15, 2012 the prophet amos as a model for addressing issues of economic injustice 07162012 02. Amos is known as the prophet of social justice, writing during the preexilic period.