Two of the major parts of our walk with God are the notions of forgiveness and grace and of accountability. We see both of these parts displayed in Amos 7. We see God relent from punishing the sins of His people. But then we see God take a plumb line, a tool that shows how vertical or straight something is, and measure His people against it. Are they being faithful? Are they being true? Are they keeping the covenant? We need to give the Spirit room in our lives to convict us, to show us our sins so that we can repent. We need God’s plumb line, pointing us to righteousness.

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Good morning! It’s Tuesday, and we’re continuing our journey through Amos. We’re in chapter seven today, and we’ve got just a couple more days left. Depending on how it goes, we might finish Amos this week or early next week. After that, we’ll likely move on to Obadiah and keep exploring the minor prophets together. I’m excited to dive into Jonah and maybe Micah as well. The minor prophets offer us rich insights, and I hope you’re enjoying the journey as much as I am.

Today, we’re focusing on another significant passage from Amos, following up on last week’s discussion of “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Now, we’re delving into the imagery of the Plum Line, another powerful metaphor in Amos.

Let’s turn to chapter 7, verses 1 through 9. “This is what the Lord God showed me: behold, he was forming locusts when the latter growth was just beginning to sprout, and behold, it was the latter growth after the king’s mowings. When they had finished eating the grass of the land, I said, ‘O Lord God, please forgive! How can Jacob stand? He is so small.’ The Lord relented concerning this: ‘It shall not be,’ said the Lord.” Here, we see Amos witnessing two visions—one of locusts and another of a shower of fire—both representing impending judgment upon Israel. In response, Amos pleads for mercy, recognizing the vulnerability of his people. Remarkably, the Lord relents in response to his plea.

Moving on to verses 7 through 9, we encounter the famous metaphor of the plumb line. “This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb line.’ Then the Lord said, ‘Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass by them; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.'”

The plumb line symbolizes God’s standard of righteousness. Just as a builder uses a plumb line to ensure straightness and alignment, God is measuring Israel against His moral law. Despite Amos’s intercession for mercy, God declares judgment upon Israel for their transgressions.

In reflecting on this passage, we’re reminded of the importance of both grace and accountability in our Christian walk. While we cherish the assurance of forgiveness and God’s unwavering love, we must also heed His call to righteousness. Just as a builder constantly checks their work against the plumb line, we should regularly examine our lives to ensure alignment with God’s standards. This process of self-reflection and repentance, though sometimes uncomfortable, ultimately leads to restoration and deeper intimacy with God.

So today, let’s allow the Spirit to examine our hearts and reveal areas where we fall short. Embracing the conviction of the plumb line opens the door to God’s grace and mercy, guiding us toward true transformation. Thank you for joining me on this journey through Amos. Tomorrow, we’ll conclude chapter 7, beginning with verse 10. Have a blessed day!