The Justice Motif Makes Us look Unconverted

Amos 5:7
There are those who turn justice into bitterness
and cast righteousness to the ground.

Amos 5:10
There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court
and detest the one who tells the truth.

Amos 5:12
For I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes
and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

Amos 5:15
Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph.

Amos 5:24
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Justice is a significant but neglected theme in the scriptures. Justice means when you dispense anything, you treat everyone as they deserve. Those who deserve a little get a little. Those who deserve much get much. Those who qualify are considered. Those who do not qualify, even if they are related to the big Boss, will not and should not be considered.

Justice suggests impartiality. Being impartial when rewarding and when punishing. Justice also suggests fairness. You are not just fair, but you and seen and known as a fair person. Justice means the privileged and the less privileged have an equal chance without prejudice.

Justice is when the courts take decisions that punish the guilty and set them free or even reward them. It is injustice if the guilty go free while the innocent suffer helplessly. Justice remains a concern in all societies to this day. We are at peace if we know justice will always be dispensed of. The helpless and voiceless need justice to protect them from abuse and exploitation. Justice is getting what you deserve regardless of who you are.

Justice has been a concern for non-governmental organizations working in communities. Justice has been and still is a concern for the judiciary and legal fraternity. Politicians have also preached justice. Justice seems to be a matter that belongs out there and not in the church. Do religious organizations actively promote justice? Do believers actively condemn injustice? Should matters of justice be our concern and preoccupation?

If we focus our attention on justice in society, are we missing the spiritual mark? Are there more important topics in the Bible than justice? Is God really concerned about Justice? Is justice such a big thing for the believer?

A keen study of the scriptures shows that justice is such a major theme and when we ignore it, we actually expose ourselves as being ignorant of Biblical demands. The chapter of our consideration today shows that justice is so important to God, that He punishes Israel for being a community that promotes injustice. The justice motif makes us look unconverted.

How can God be so concerned about Justice yet we are not? Are we really His followers if we do not share His concerns? God condemns Israel for turning justice into bitterness. That is, those who seek justice end up regretting it. For this reason, God destroyed the Israelite nation!

In Israel, those who promoted justice were hated and even called names. It was dangerous to demand justice. Those who spoke the truth and those who ensured justice takes place were hated, avoided, and probably even called names. God saw this and decided that such a community must be punished without mercy. God is concerned about justice, if we are not concerned, we are unconverted!

In Israel, the poor never had justice because the rich corrupted the courts and processes in organizations. God saw the less privileged experiencing injustice. God decided to punish Israel because of injustice. If justice is not this serious for us, then the God of the Bible is not our God!

God through the prophet tells Israel that the only way to escape His punishment is to ensure there is justice in courts and all over Israel. God says, let justice roll like a river. God does not want justice that is as small as water drops, He wants justice to flow like a big river. Only then can God forgive Israel. Do you realize how much God is concerned about justice? Are we equally concerned or this is not our God?

Are we concerned when the unqualified get jobs and the qualified go around jobless? Are we concerned when favors, promotions, and appointments are given in a skewed manner? Are we concerned when cases are processed unfairly and justice perverted? Are we concerned when the poor can’t afford a fair life and access to anything? Is justice our concern or is this God of the Bible who is concerned about justice a stranger to us?

Dear God, give us concern for justice. Save us from those who pervert justice. Intervene and save those being destroyed by injustice, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

NEW BOOK ALERT: Click this link to get details on a new book by Dr. Rei Kesis (For other details send a WhatsApp Message to +254 740 434 683)

1. Rei Kesis YouTube Channel (subscribe, click on the notification, and share)
2. Rei Kesis books on Amazon (Amazon will sell and deliver anywhere in the world. For those in Kenya you can buy from any ABC close to you. ABC is Adventist Book Center)
3. Rei Kesis daily blog here.