Time after Pentecost · Proper 27 · Year A
Amos 5:18-24
Let Justice Roll Down
November 8, 2026
Overview & Insights
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24)
The theme of justice and righteousness runs throughout Amos, but is presented with particular focus in Amos 5. This chapter accuses Israel of numerous social injustices: trampling on the poor and extorting grain (their food) from them; paying bribes to judges in order to deprive the poor of justice; and corrupting the entire legal system in general (5:11–13). The terrible consequences are presented in the opening verses. Israel will fall (5:1–2) with only 10 percent surviving (5:3).
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Commentary
Commentary on Amos 5:18-24 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on this prophetic reading by a named seminary scholar.
Amos 5 - A Lamentation and Call to Repentance Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the day of the LORD and the demand for justice.
Amos 5:18 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on empty worship and rolling justice.
Amos 5:18 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.
Amos 5 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page collecting word studies and cross references on the chapter.
Background & Word Study
Amos 5 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
The Hebrew of the prophet's oracle alongside English with linked Jewish commentary.
Amos 5:18 Interlinear BibleHub
The Hebrew of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers, including the words for justice and righteousness.
Book of Amos Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of Amos that frames its cry for justice against hollow religion.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What are the two options for this reading?
Churches may read Amos 5, where God rejects festivals emptied of justice and calls for justice to “roll on like a river,” or the Wisdom of Solomon 6, where Lady Wisdom “is found by those who seek her,” pairing with the wise and foolish virgins of the Gospel.
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