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"The prudent keep silent"

Text: Amos 5:13

A GOOD JUDICIAL SYSTEM

God had provided a good judicial system for His people, Israel. Encoded in the Mosaic Law was a great system of justice (Cf. Deuteronomy). Moses had carefully instructed the leaders as to how they should uphold justice. However, these laws were largely ignored!

“Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time,
For it is an evil time.”
Amos 5:13

1. Appropriate responses

a) The people could take their disputes to the local magistrates.

b) Their final recourse would be the king himself.

c) The prophets could be contacted for help as well.

2. But what if “it is an evil time?”

a) Amos highlighted this problem as he preached in Israel.

b) He stood for the Lord as His servant.

c) He stood for the poor and down-trodden.

d) It was an evil time when:

i) People did not seek the Lord at all.

ii) Pursuit of evil was rampant.

iii) When judges grew corrupt and took bribes.

3. Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time

a) Those who took an active stand against evil and corruption.

i) They spoke up against injustice.

ii) They sought to promote justice in the land.

iii) But they speak up at the risk of their own lives!

b) The prudent

i) They were wise and discerning.

Sometimes it was not wise to say too much.

ii) This does not mean that they were cowardly though.

c) Keep silent at that time

i) They risked losing their very lives.

ii) They might well make the situation worse; prudence may well be the preferred virtue.