“But let justice roll down like waters
And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:24 (NASB95)
God’s expectations of justice and righteousness in society have remained constant generation after generation.[1]
Without the desire to fulfil righteousness in the offerer, the sacrifice is hateful to God (1Sa 15:22; Ps 66:18; Ho 6:6; Mic 6:8).[2]
He did not want their acts of justice and righteousness merely to trickle out of them, but wanted them to rush out, like a noisy torrent down the mountains[3]
5:24. Instead of ritual and performance, God wanted a relentless commitment to justice and righteousness (see comments on v. 7). He wanted a passionate concern for the rights of the poor, a concern that would roll on like an ever-flowing river … like a never-failing stream that did not run dry. [1]
Israel’s worship was devoid of application. Instead of elaborate ritual, God wanted justice and righteousness to prevail in the land.[2]
It was this inequity that rendered the people’s worship repulsive to the Lord, for it violated His covenant in which justice and fairness for all were supposed to prevail.[3]
[1] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (1328). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[1] Smith, B. K., & Page, F. S. (2001). Vol. 19B: Amos, Obadiah, Jonah (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (113). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., Fausset, A. R., Brown, D., & Brown, D. (1997). A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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