Amos on "Justice"

One of the first casualties of prosperity is "justice". Those who "have" always seem to want more and are willing to do whatever it takes to advance. No doubt that God has blessed America, not unlike the way in which He had blessed Israel. They had conquered all of their enemies and were living "high-on-the-hog" (lamb?). The unintended consenquence of Israel's prosperity was a tendency to abuse the very poorest among them. Amos 2:6-8 identifies four areas of injustice within Israel during Amos' time. These four areas of injustice are just as big a problem in our day.

#1--Financial Injustice (v6). The poor were sold into slavery to pay off debts acquired through unjust and abusive courts.

#2-Positional Injustice (v7). Those without position were stepped on and denied access to advancement opportunities.

#3--Sexual Injustice (v7). Prostitution was forced upon the poor as an occupation of last resort.

#4--Religious Injustice (v8). The gains received from the poor by unjust means were flaunted before God and included in worship.

Time could be easily spent detailing similar abuses in our own day in each of these areas. Multiple examples exist! Instead, let's just remember that all that have and all that we are is intended to glorify God and to help out our fellow man--especially the least of these. Let me challenge you to examine your life in these four areas and determine if you are guilty of any abuses of justice.