“I have done judgment and justice: Leave me not to mine oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good: Let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, And for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, And teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: For they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; And I hate every false way.”
Psalm 119:121-128 KJV,https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.119.121-128.KJV
Reordering Our Priorities
The northern tribes of Israel in Amos' time seemed like they were doing all the right things. They offered sacrifices to God and were exact in their religious observations. And yet, the book of Amos is written to them as a warning—a warning that destruction that would befall them if they refused to change?
Why?
Because they had neglected the true heart of loving and worshiping God.
While they were doing many of the "right" things, it's what they weren't doing that God wanted to address. They failed to take care of the poor and needy. They turned their eyes away from injustice. Many had turned to idols for help and prayer.
Through Amos, God told the people of Israel that it is just as important to be righteous inwardly as it is outwardly. We cannot say we love God and others when we fail to help people who are within our power to help.
Just as James 1:27 tells us, true religion includes helping orphans, widows, and those who are in distress. James goes on to write ...