And why did Amos say, "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream?" Amos invoked that image of God's power as a criticism of two kinds of people: (1) the spoiled rich, who oppress the poor; and (2) puffed up religious hypocrites who hold public festivals like, say, Justice Sunday.

Amos, a shepherd and orchard worker, condemned the oppressive alliance of the powerful and wealthy elites with self-righteous religious leaders of the day. He castigated the rich by calling them "cows of Bashan" (Amos 4:1); and right beside them, he castigated the religious centers of Bethel and Gilgal. Then in Amos 5 come the waters justice and righteousness to deal with those who oppress the poor: "I hate and despise your festivals; I do not take pleasure from your pious meetings. Although you offer me burnt offerings and your grain offerings I will not accept them. The peace offering of your choice animals I will not eye. Away from me with the noise of your songs! The melody of your harps I will not hear. Let justice roll down like water, righteousness like an eternally flowing stream."

Amos was invoking God's judgment specifically on the fashion-conscious, self-indulgent rich and on puffed up religious leaders who make public spectacles of themselves with great noisy festivals like Justice Sunday, while oppressing ordinary people and turning a blind eye to simple justice.

by jhutson on Fri Jan 06, 2006 at 12:16:01 PM EST

Find the full essay at here at this

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Chip Berlet: Research for Progress - Building Human Rights
by Chip Berlet on Sun Jan 08, 2006 at 12:10:13 PM EST