SS2 CRS
3rd Term
8th Week
TRUE RELIGION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
True religion
(Amos 5:21-25; 4:4,5): Religion is a people’s way of worshipping God. Different
people worship God differently based on their concept of God. Some of these
concepts of God might be wrong, and it might lead to false religion. Thus, to
practice the right religion, it is necessary for one to have the right concept
of God.
It demands purity of
heart, honest desire and justice (Amos 5:4, 14-15, 24; 4:4-5): During the
time of prophet Amos, the people of Israel thought that God is ultimately
swayed by sacrifices and burnt offerings. So, they never cared to obey his
laws, since they believed that with their sacrifices they could easily make up
for their moral ineptitude. This is
false religion because it is a wrong way of worshipping God. God had to rebuke
them through the prophet Amos. He told them that it is not their sacrifices
that matter to Him. Rather, it is their righteousness and justice that he
requires from them.
Social vices during
the time of Amos (Amos 2:6-8; 4:1; 7-13): (1) they sell the righteous into
slavery (2) maltreatment of the poor (3) idolatry (4) unfaithfulness to their
God (5) sexual immorality (6) Injustice
Opposition against
Amos by Amaziah, a priest of the royal sanctuary (Amos 7:10-17): Because of
the sins of the people, Amos prophesied against the house of Jeroboam. Then,
Amaziah went to tell Jeroboam that Amos is prophesying against him. Also,
Amaziah told Amos to get out of Bethel and stop prophesying in Bethel. He told
him to go to the land of Judah where he could eat bread and prophesy. But Amos cursed
him that his wife would become a harlot, his children shall be killed, his land
divided and he himself shall be taken exile where he would die.
Divine judgment on
evil doers (Amos4:2-3, 6-10; 5:14-20; 6; 7:16-17; 8:9-10): (1) They will be
taken into exile (2) they shall lack bread (3) there shall be no rain upon
their land (4) they shall go in search of water (5)they shall be smitten with
blasting and mildew (6) they shall be killed in the battle field
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