6Thus says the Lord:
For three transgressions of Israel, and for four,
I will not revoke the punishment;
because they sell the righteous for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals—
7they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth,
and push the afflicted out of the way...
These verses from the second chapter of the prophet Amos are a powerful indictment of greed aimed at those who consider themselved religious but don't live ethically. They have been cited often through the ages to address the inequities between rich and poor.
They come to mind as I listen to the news stories of tensions between developed and developing nations at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit. A document was leaked earlier last week suggesting that richer nations should be held to a different standard (lower, not higher) than other countries. It felt like a justification of privilege that led some of the poorer nations to consider leaving the conference.
I trust that the religious delegations present during these two weeks will be attentive to these concerns as a matter of God's justice in the world. The words of an Israelite prophet from 2800 years ago who wouldn't have a clue about climate change still have currency in our time.
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