the last post was strangely well-timed. i just finished writing a paper for old testament prophecy about the issue of social justice in the Bible, and i was shocked at the thousands of references to helping and protecting the widow, orphan, and poor. in fact, the book of amos says that because the poor were being taken advantage of, because the marketplace was corrupt, and because the leadership ignored the cries of the helpless, God told the people, "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. but let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" (5:21-24) our 'worship' means nothing if not accompanied with justice.
~brad