Definition: Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Amos 5:15. Itās a really important message about how we should treat people and our world. Hereās what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is urging us to be actively good and just towards everyone, especially those who are struggling or forgotten. Itās saying that God wants to show mercy and kindness to the remaining people ā a āremnantā of Joseph. Let's unpack it word-by-word: āAmos 5:15ā : This is the title of the verse, referencing a prophet named Amos in the Old Testament. Itās a call from God to focus on this particular message. āHate the evil, and love the goodā¦ā : This is the core of the message. It means we should actively avoid doing wrong and actively encourage doing right. Think of it like choosing to be kind and helpful to others, even when itās hard. āā¦and establish judgment in the gateā¦ā : āGateā refers to a boundary or boundary ā a place where things are controlled and regulated. āEstablish judgmentā means to take action to correct wrongdoings and ensure justice is done. It's about holding people accountable for their actions. āit may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.ā : This is the kicker ā itās a hopeful promise. "Remnant of Joseph" refers to those who are left behind after a big disaster or period of hardship. "Grace" means kindness, mercy, and forgiveness. āBe graciousā means to show compassion and understanding. āWill be graciousā suggests that God will eventually offer this grace. So, whatās the overall message? It's essentially a call to righteousness and compassion. God is saying: "Don't ignore those who are struggling. Treat them with kindness and justice. Actively work to make things right for them, even if it seems difficult." Why is this important? This verse speaks to the idea that God doesnāt just allow suffering; He actively works to alleviate it. It emphasizes that God wants a world where justice prevails and those who are hurting are cared for. In short, it's a call to be a compassionate and righteous person in the face of hardship. --- To help me tailor this explanation further, could you tell me: What specifically are you interested in learning more about? (e.g., its historical context, its meaning for modern people?)