As the Water Flows and the Grass Is Green
A Reflection on Amos 5:21-24by JoAnn Eslinger
Water. Justice rolling down like water. Why is water such a vivid symbol for justice? The Prophet Amos tells us that justice needs to flow like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Many who have stood before the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at the Southern Poverty Law Center have put out their hands to feel the water flow over the words of Amos. Flowing water seems to bring us comfort.
A mountain stream moves in its constancy and determination, never slowing to rest. It is always there, always emerging from that source so far beyond our sight. Its path takes it through smooth places, rough rapids, and falls, but it does not hesitate. It moves on and grows stronger with each stream that joins it.
Justice and water give life;
are free-flowing;
are restoring;
mean salvation;
are purifying.
Justice is as necessary as water for our daily strength and survival. Many Scriptures link the images of justice and water:
- Isaiah 58:11 (NRSV): "And you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail."
- Isaiah 12:3-4 (NRSV): "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that is name is exalted."
- Psalm 1:3 (NRSV): "They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper."
Many Native Americans use the phrase "As the water flows and the grass is green" in covenants. This is a way of expressing that all parties will uphold the agreement forever. Other literature and poetry refer to justice with images of water, flowing streams, and fields of green grass. Water is a necessity for human life and survival. Justice and peace are the dream of God, just as essential for life and survival. Justice flowing like water . . .
JoAnn Eslinger (jeslinger@gbod.org) is Director of Congregational and Community Action Ministries at The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship.