People of the Land sermon guide

4.22.18 –ALAN HAWKINS
The Cry of Injustice
The story of God's people in the land did not always go
as planned. Despite the divine gift and vocation, they
often failed to maintain God's creation purpose for the
land. The prophets of Ancient Israel arose to offer a
penetrating and sometimes devastating critique of how
the land and those connected to the land had both been
mistreated.
Amos' says that his people have neglected the Sabbath
principle and this leads to a mistreatment of the poor.
God shows his care and concern for the land by his
critique of his people. How do God's concerns in Amos'
day extend to us as well. Where are prophets crying out
against injustice today?
Questions to Consider
1. Is it surprising that God is angered at the
mistreatment of the land? Where might God's anger be
stirred today?
2. How does Amos' critique relate to us today? Do we
place economic concerns over creational concerns?
What imagery might Amos use today to convey this
concept to us?
3. Amos is concerned that mistreatment of the land is
also a mistreatment of those connected to it. How do
people also suffer today as a result of mismanagement
of agricultural resources?
4. Where are there places in our world today that cry
out for a prophetic critique of injustice? Do you feel a
call to voice this concerns?