John Calvin Commentary Amos 5:24

"But let justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." — Amos 5:24 (ASV)

Interpreters variously expound this verse. To some it seems an exhortation, as if the Prophet said, “You thrust on me animal sacrifices and various ceremonies; but I do not regard these things, for inner purity of heart alone pleases me. Then take away all these things, which are of no importance to me, and bring what I especially require and demand: a pure and sincere heart.”

Some also think that newness of life is here described by its fruits or its evidence: for the Prophet does not mention purity, does not speak of faith and repentance, but by the fruits sets forth that renewal, which God always chiefly regards, and for the sake of which he had required sacrifices under the law. The meaning then is that hypocrites are here called back to true worship, because they vainly and absurdly tormented themselves with their own fictions; and by requiring from them righteousness and judgment, he required a holy and pure life, or, in a word, uprightness.

Others think that the Prophet turns aside here to celebrate the grace of Christ, which was to be made known in the gospel. The verb יגל, igel, is rendered by many “shall be revealed;” but others more correctly derive it from the root גל, igel, to roll. Let justice then, as it were, roll. But I will return to the second exposition. Most think that there is here a prediction of that righteousness which God was to make known by the coming of Christ; and some also retain the proper meaning of the verb גל, gal, to roll. They then say that the gospel is here compared to an impetuous river and a violent stream, because the Lord would rush on and penetrate through all hindrances, however many Satan might attempt to throw in his way. But this meaning does not seem to harmonize with the Prophet’s words and is, in my judgment, too refined.

Some, again, regard the verse as a threatening, and think that God here reproves the Israelites, as if he had said, that since they were trifling with and mocking him, he would at length show what was true righteousness and what was true judgment. For hypocrites think that they do not fall short of a perfect state when they are veiled by their ceremonies, since they flee to these lurking holes when they would cover all their wicked deeds.

Hence they do not think that they are guilty, for they hide their sins under their ceremonies as under Ajax’s shield. Seeing then that they thus trifle with God, some interpreters think that God here sharply reproves them and says that they were greatly deceived, for he himself would at length make known what was true righteousness.

Righteousness then shall run down or be rolled; and by this verb he expresses impetuousness. But he sets it forth afterwards more clearly by איתן, aitan, “Judgment shall be a violent stream.” But hypocrites amuse themselves as children do with their puppets. Since, then, they do nothing seriously, and yet desire to pacify God as with baubles, the Prophet here shakes off such delusions, as if he said, “Do you think that God is like a child?

Why do you set up these trifles? Do you think that righteousness is a fictitious thing, or that judgment is a vain figment? The Lord will certainly show you how precious righteousness is. It shall therefore run down as violent waters, as an impetuous stream. “Judgment,” he says, “shall rush upon you and overwhelm you.” This is the third meaning.

But the verse may again be explained in a different way, as if God were countering an objection. For hypocrites, we know, always raise a clamor and endlessly contend: “What! Have we then lost all our labor while trying to worship God? Is all this to go for nothing? Furthermore, we have not only offered sacrifices, but also sought to testify that we are concerned for God’s glory. Since then we have cared for religion, why should God now reject us?”

The Prophet here briefly answers that if only they produced true righteousness, their path would be clear, as if he said, “God will not hinder your righteousness and uprightness.” This must be understood in terms of its fruit or reward, as if the Prophet said, “Only worship God in sincerity, and he will not disappoint you, for a reward will be prepared for you; your righteousness shall run down as a river.”

As it is said in another place, Your righteousness shall shine as the dawn, so it is also in this passage, Your righteousness shall run down as violent waters.

There was therefore no reason for hypocrites to protest and say that God had wronged them, or that their religious observances were lightly valued, since God openly testified that he would ensure righteousness has a free course, like an impetuous river. This seems to be the genuine meaning of the Prophet.

While I do not wholly reject the other expositions, I do not currently adopt them, but show what I most approve.

Then the Prophet, after instructing them to throw aside all their fictitious and spurious forms of worship, does not now simply exhort the Israelites, as some think, to exhibit righteousness and uprightness, but expresses this in the form of a promise: “Run down shall your righteousness as impetuous waters, provided it be true, and not an empty name. Whenever God shall see in you sincere uprightness, there will certainly be prepared an ample reward for you.”