In our quest to understand biblical justice, we might turn to a few familiar passages that urge us to "seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8), or "let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream" (Amos 5:24). When read in isolation, these passages seem nice but disconnected and mildly abstract concepts. Vanessa Hawkins wants us to know that although these passages certainly reflect God's heart for justice, they are mere tributaries that flow out of a mighty undercurrent of justice coursing through the entirety of Scripture. The Book of Amos is an outflow of this stream, expressing the universal justice of God. As Amos, a little known and unlikely shepherd prophet, expresses warnings to Israel and surrounding nations, we hear the heart of God expressed for all people. And if we listen closely, we hear what God values and what God detests. We hear His desire for the flourishing of humanity and evidence of his righteous rule over all nations. Amos ultimately requires that we look to the day when the Father's justice is satisfied through the death and resurrection of his Son and to the day when he comes again to make all things new. He challenges us to think sober-mindedly about justice as he declares the heart of God to those willing to hear.
Table of Contents:
Week 1: The Lion Roars
Week 2: Israel Hears the Roar
Week 3: You Only Have I Known
Week 4: Return to the Lord
Week 5: Let Justice Roll Down
Week 6: Confronting the Idol of Comfort
Week 7: Compassion: The Companion to Justice
Week 8: Restoring People and Rebuilding Places
