Exposition of Amos 4-9, Part 2 · Section 24
VERSE 24.
But, let judgement run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
WEE have seen before what God did not require of this People, and that was Sacrifices without faith and obedience. 2. Wee are come to that which hee did require of them, viz. an active lively faith, shewing it self in justice and righteousness towards our neighbour; so that if they should say, Since God rejects our Services and Ceremonies, what would he have us doe? why the Prophet answers, He hath shewed thee O man what is pleasing to him, and what he desireth of thee, viz. to doe justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
Interpreters vary about the sense of the words, 1. The Rabbins and those that follow them, make it a comm…at…on of Gods Judgements against Israel for their sins; they read it thus, And judgement shall run down, or be revealed as waters, q. d. Though you abound with Ceremonies and Sacrifices, and think to shroud your selves under their shadow, yet I will cause my Judgements to break in upon you like waters in abundance, and my righteous vengeance as a mighty stream shall bear down all before it, because of your Idolatry and Hypocrisie.
2 But the words are properly an exhortation to amendment of life, this people had been grosly guilty of injustice and unrighteousness; and therefore God calls upon them now to break off their unrighteousness,Iiggal, volvat, à Rad. Galal, volvere, convolvere, obruere. The vulgar Latine mistaking the root, render it, Revelabitur; and render Vau by &, when it is oft used adversatively, (as it is here) by sed. and to give themselves up to equity and righteousness, that their repentance might be as eminent as ever their sin had been. Let Judgement therefore run down, or rou… down like waters, i. e. be alwayes ready to doe Justice and Judgement, let it abound and extend it self to all, doe not suppress it as formerly you have done, Amos 4.1. & 5.7, 12. but let it run fully and freely to every one that hath need; content not your selves with a drop or two, but g… rivers of righteousness, which may abundantly refresh all the opprest and needy of the Land; so much the phrase imports, as you may see, Isa. 48.18. O that thou hadst harkened to my Commandements, then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the Sea, q. d. Hadst thou obeyed my commands, then had thy peace been as a river, that abides and runs continually, and thy righteousness, i. e. the fruits of thy righteousness, viz. thy prosperity and happiness should have been as the waves of the sea, which are abundant and perpetual. This sense is most genuine, and agrees best with the contexture and thread of the discourse; the former sense is Rabbinical and wrackt.
3 Others distinguish between judgement and righteousness, thus.
1 By Iudgement they understand a faithful and impartial execution of justice.
2 Under Righteousness they comprehend all the duties of the first and second Table, relating both to God and man. So the word righteousness is sometimes used in Scripture, as Rom. 6.18. Ephes. 6.14.
But with submission to better judgements, I conceive that Judgement and Righteousness here are Synonima's, signifying one and the same thing; and that the latter clause is exegetical and illustrates the former, as it doth frequently in the Scripture,Benacha… Ethan, tanquam torrens fortis, vel fluvius vehemens. Let Iudgement run down as waters, what is that? why let righteousness run down as a mighty stream, i. e. let nothing hinder you from a constant and vigorous execution of Justice and Equity, and this execution of Justice is oft called Righteousness, Psal. 72.2. Acts 17.31.
OBSERVATIONS.
1 God delights in Iustice and Righteousness more than in Sacrifices.
I hate your Sacrifices, I abhor your feasts (saith God) but let judgement run down as waters; it is that I delight in. As obedience is better than Sacrifice, and Mercy than Burnt▪ offerings, Hos. 6.6. so Justice and Equity (which is one branch of our obedience) is better than Sacrifice; of the two, God had rather have Justice without a Sacrifice, than Sacrifice without Justice; and therefore (saith God) Away with your songs and sacrifices, give me righteousness and obedience. It is not thousands of Rams, nor rivers of Oyl, but doing justly, which God requires of us, Micah 6.8. so Isa. 1.17. Learn to doe well, seek …udgement, releeve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow; without this all our religion is vain. Let men profess Angelical Sanctity, yet if they doe not what is just and righteous, all is but hypocrisie, Iames 1. ult.
2 Obs. Rulers must abound in judgement and righteousnes
Actio una non denominat hominem.They must not only doe an act or two of righteousness, for one act doth not denominate; but they must be rivers always running with righteousness. This elegant Metaphor of a River may give us some hints how Justice should be executed.
Viz.
1 Openly.
2 Fully.
3 Freely.
4 Universally.
5 Constantly.
6 Zealously.
1 Iudgement must be executed openly, that all may see the equity of the sentence. Rivers run openly, who so will may see them. So Courts of Justice should be open; hence the Judges of old sate in the Gates, where all might see and hear what they did.
2 Fully, Justice must run with a plentiful and an abundant stream. They must not confine Justice, nor imprison it, but as occasion requires they must abundantly dispense and disperse it abroad. They must not content themselves with a few drops or acts of Justice, but it must run down with a mighty stream. Goodness is of a diffusive nature; now Justice is a singular good, and therefore should be communicated to all.
3 Freely, the river offers it self freely to all, who ever is athirst, may drink of it freely. Men should not be bribed and hired to doe Justice, but it should flow as freely and spontaneously from a Ruler, as water from a spring. The light of the Sun, and the liberty of the Air should not be more cheap and free, than Justice amongst us.
4 Universally and commonly, without respect of persons. When justice is duly administred, it must run down as waters, and streams, which run by the poor mans doors, as well as by the rich; and by the poorest Cottage, as well as by the stateliest Palace.
5. Constantly, Rivers run continually, the stream is alwaies rowling down: so should Magistrates be constant pro re nata, as occasion requires in the execution of Justice, in the places of their abode.
6. Zealously and vigorously. Rapido montano flumine to r…ns, Sternit agros, ste…nil sata laeta, boum que labores. Virg. Aeneid. l 2. See more in my Com. on Psal. 82.4. p. 112, &c See Mr. Patrick Jewish Hypoc. chap. 14 p. 226.A mighty stream carries down all before it: So a good Ruler breaks thorow all impediments, discouragements, and temptations that might hinder the free course of Justice. No friends nor foes, no gifts nor bribes can hinder him from a faithful discharge of the duties of his place. As we see in Moses, Iob, Samuel, Nehemiah. This is Gods work, and he is cursed that doth it negligently. When men are good, it is a joy to them to do judgement, Prov. 21.15. and this is the way to safety and settlement, Isa. 32.16, 17, 18. Dan. 4.27.