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January 31, 2025

 

Justice and mercy. I want to spend some time to share with you God’s use of these two ideas and how they unfold to shape the life and message of a shepherd and fig tree farmer who lived 2800 years ago. As we look to be formed by Jesus to be more like him, I believe there is a critical message for us for today from the prophet Amos.  

 

A few decades after Amos’s ministry, the prophet Micah says this to the people of Judah: 

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. -Micah 6:8 

 

In Scripture, God is frequently referred to as the Father of the fatherless who cares deeply for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. You see God described often as the defender of the weak, powerless, and oppressed. It appears that God aligns himself with these people and he expects those who love him to do the same. To act justly and to love mercy.  

 

Amos began his ministry in the 8th century BC when Jeroboam II was King of Israel. Jeroboam was a successful military leader who extended Israel’s border and gained great wealth. This power and wealth led him to spiritual apathy. He allowed Israel to begin to worship foreign gods. As a result of this malformation, the people ignored the poor. Amos’s message to the people of Israel was in indictment of their lack of mercy and justice. 

 

Amos called Israel back to worship of the one true God. The wealthy of Israel had become hypocrites. The people were giving their offerings and worshiping but their worship doesn’t impact how they treat others. They allow no justice for the poor. They turn a blind eye to the suffering and even contribute to it themselves. Amos delivers God’s judgment upon Israel for their abuse and neglect of the oppressed.  

 

They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed.  

-Amos 2:6-7  

 

You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards you will not drink their wine.12 For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins.  

-Amos 5:11-12 

 

Mishpat is the Hebrew word “justice.” We hear that word, and we think of the justice system or social justice. One means the rule of law in a society and the other term points to fairness and the meeting of people’s basic needs. The Hebrew word however, denotes the action of justice one takes in response to God’s call to care for the poor. God’s unmerited grace and love showered upon us should result in mishpat. Mercy should flow like a rushing stream leading to justice! As God reminds Israel, so he reminds us. You were once poor and wandering… without hope and without God. Now look at you! You have received God’s great mercy and deliverance. God will rain down punishment upon Israel because they forgot where they had come from and who it was who brought them out of darkness into the light of grace. They neglected to act justly and love mercy.  

 

What posture will we take today? How should modern apprentices of Jesus expect him to form our hearts and lives in the areas of justice and mercy? Jesus told us that we would always have the poor, the marginalized, and the needy among us. Jesus befriended the poor, the foreigner, and the outcast. As followers of Jesus, we have the responsibility to love justice and mercy; to hold both things in tension. The rule of law does not trump the command to be merciful and meet physical, social, emotional, and psychological needs. As well, the command to show mercy does not toss the rule of law out the window. We must actively pursue both. The Father to the fatherless takes this seriously and so must we. Go and do likewise. 

 

Holding both in tension, 

Nathan 

 

Please be praying for our team from White Oak who travel to visit our mission partners in India February 13-21. The team includes me, Peter Hinkle, and Kurt Caudill. We ask for your prayers for us to be a blessing and encouragement to the staff and the people of Christhia Seva Mission. May God receive glory and our hearts be formed to be more like Jesus.  

 




Nathan Hinkle

Lead Pastor








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