Peace with Justice
"We're all 'Minor' Prophets"
By Jim Winkler

"We're all 'Minor' Prophets"
by Jim Winkler

Recently, I participated in a breakfast on Capitol Hill about “Breaking the Fast, Celebrating Debt Cancellation.” It was organized by the Jubilee USA network for its week of action. The debt cancellation campaign of the past decade has focused on alleviating poverty in the poorest countries of the world by insisting the wealthy nations forgive debt collection from impoverished countries.

The international Jubilee campaign to cancel the debt was and is led by Christian churches of all stripes. Evangelicals, Roman Catholics and mainline Protestants have been heavily involved in it. Members of Congress were feeling the pressure from us by 2001.

Rep. Maxine Waters of California recalled that back in 2001 leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives told her $69 million had been placed into the federal budget for debt cancellation. Now, mind you the poor nations owe hundreds of billions of dollars so $69 million would not make a big difference. She said it was made clear to her that was the limit she could expect, though.

Waters decided to demand full funding of $225 million in U.S. money be set aside to reduce the debt. And, lo and behold, she — and we — succeeded. We’ve been making progress ever since.

The late Rev. Dr. William Sloane Coffin said it was the preacher’s job to call for justice to flow like a stream and righteousness to roll down like mighty waters. The politician’s job is to work out the irrigation system.

Another speaker that morning was the Rev. Emmanuel Cleaver, a United Methodist pastor and a member of the U.S. Congress from Missouri. He reminded us that Jesus asked Peter to “feed my sheep.”

Sheep, you see, are the only animals God has created without any means of natural defense. It’s a miracle sheep are still here. They’re still here because they have shepherds.

Cleaver said the U.S. as the richest country in the world has a responsibility to those who live in poverty. Together, we are stronger and make a difference in the world.

Amos trusted God and answered the call to speak the truth to a wealthy nation that sold into slavery “honest men who cannot pay their debts, poor men who cannot repay even the price of sandals. They trample down the weak and helpless and push the poor out of the way.” (Amos 2:6)

We in the U.S. live in a time in this nation when untold billions are devoted to war and the weapons of war, but the scraps of the table are not used to provide health care to our children and millions are losing their homes because of unjust lending practices.

The prophet Amos was a farm boy, a shepherd from a small Judean village. He was called by God to the difficult mission of preaching harsh words in a smooth season. You see, during the time of Amos, 800 years before Jesus, King Jeroboam III ruled. Israel attained a height of territorial expansion and national prosperity that was never to be reached again.

The military security and economic affluence that the people saw and enjoyed made them think that these were signs of God’s special favor. Moreover, they felt they deserved such gifts. I ask those of us from wealthy nations if this sounds familiar.

Amos denounced Israel for its reliance upon military might. He denounced his nation for committing grave injustice in social affairs. And, he denounced his people for shallow, meaningless piety.

“I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;|
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
(Amos 5:21-26, NRSV)

Of course, this unknown farm boy who came to the big city of Jerusalem and denounced the seemingly peaceful, and certainly self-satisfied, nation of Israel got into trouble. His forceful, uncompromising preaching brought him into conflict with the religious authorities and those who held political, economic and military power.

The prophet Amos sought to meet his people right where they were; he wanted them to live out their faith then and there and obey God. You see, Amos had a vision from the Lord. He saw God standing beside a wall that had been built with the use of a plumb line in his hand. God asked, “Amos, what do you see?”

“A plumb line,” Amos answered. Then God said, “I am using it to show that my people are like a wall that is out of line. I will not change my mind again about punishing them. The places where Isaac’s descendants worship will be destroyed. The holy places of Israel will be left in ruins. I will bring the dynasty of King Jeroboam to an end.” (Amos 7:7-9)

I am always amazed Amos is characterized as a “minor prophet.” What’s minor about that message? What’s minor about telling the truth? Of course, the prophecy of Amos is considered minor because he doesn’t preach a long sermon. Many of us consider someone who preaches a short sermon to be a major preacher.

Recall the encounter between Amos and Amaziah, the high priest. Amaziah was the official priest of the royal sanctuary and was an adviser to the king. He told the king: “Amos is plotting against you among the people. His speeches will destroy the country.” (Amos 7:10-11).

Amaziah ordered Amos to go to the land of Judah and do his prophesying there. But Amos replied that he was doing what God had commanded.

Amaziah made it personal; he said the problem was Amos. Amos made it personal, too. But he was also addressing systemic problems and he had a solution to offer: Repent, stop the corruption and bribery, treat the poor fairly, hate what is evil, and love what is right, but don’t bring God burnt offerings and grain and think you will be forgiven your sins.

Most of us do not relish confronting the principalities and powers. Even me! Well, I suppose I relish it just a little. All the criticism we get makes us uncomfortable and vulnerable. The biblical prophets were touched by God to say what may or may not be pleasant. Their examples give us courage to stand up for God’s truth.

Date: 11/12/2007