Amos and the Plumbline

“One Year Bible” Old Testament Passage
Amos 7:1-9:15

Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made 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 …  Amos 7:7-8 (NKJV)

It is wonderful when God speaks prophetically to His people.  There is ALWAYS encouragement, up-building, and comfort in God’s prophetic ministry (see I Co. 14:3). 

But, you might ask why are there so many seemingly scathing prophecies in the Old Testament?  Aren’t there times when God absolutely rebukes and judges His people for their sin?  The answer is YES!  But, let’s look further. 

EVEN IN THE HARDEST WORDS FROM GOD, THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE OF REDEMPTION.  Even when it seems that He is scolding us severely, there is the touch of mercy and promise.  We must remember this important characteristic of all that God does.  He is by nature a Redeemer.

At times, He drops the plumb line into your life.  He measures you.  He identifies those areas that are out of line with His will.  He shines the light on the errors of workmanship and the times you cut the corners.  This seems to be such a severe rebuke.  What if He condems the whole building because of bad workmanship?!

Always remember: God turns the light on not to hurt but to heal.  If He drops His plumb line into your life, there is always the promise that He will set things right and bring a new era of blessing.  The book of Amos ends with such a promise:

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord…the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and all the hills will flow with it.  I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.  I will plant them in their land…”  Amos 9:13-15).  The God Who drops the plumbline is also the God Who redeems!

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