In the passage we heard from the Book of Amos, we see a prophet who was tough and blunt. He said things that no one wants to hear today any more than they did 3,000 years ago. He makes even preachers who preach hellfire and brimstone look tame.

A plumb line is a builder’s tool for determining that a surface is straight. All sin and its resulting judgment is measured against the holiness and righteousness of God. This new understanding enabled Amos to fearlessly stand as God’s spokesman and accept Israel’s coming judgment as both necessary and just.

The vision of the plumb line declared the certainty of the Lord’s judgment on those who do not repent of their sins. In this vision, Israel is portrayed as a misaligned wall that is leaning and ready to fall over. Israel was not perpendicular to the horizon of God’s covenant and commandments. The wall of Israel was not straight according to righteousness and justice. The symbolism was pointed. Israel was leaning so far out of the plumb of God’s will that the “wall” was dangerous. It had to be destroyed for safety.

From a human point of view, the scene of Israel’s judgment repulsed Amos, but with the vision of God holding the plumb line, and Amos’ subsequent encounter with Amaziah-who represented the depth of Israel’s rebellion-Amos gained the Lord’s perspective.

Every day, every moment, in each situation and in every relationship God stands by the wall with a plumb line in His hand. Every day He notes any divergence from the straight. Is the divergence getting worse? When is the wall of our life dangerous for others?

The first note of the kingdom of God is righteousness. How do our walls stand by that plumb line? Are they in line or off the straight, out of the perpendicular? We need to see what we are, what we could be, and realize that we do not have to stay where we are.

God set a living, ever-present plumb line in history when Christ was born. The walls of our lives are being constantly measured by Him. He is both the Chief Cornerstone and the One who measures us by His plumb line of absolute love, forgiveness, service, purity, and honesty.

The images of judgment and destruction often leave us wondering what kind of message this might be for our time and place. We prefer to hear messages of uncompromising mercy, but God’s love and God’s judgment are not mutually exclusive. His mercies are meaningless without His justice. The concept of justice has no meaning if God can’t be offended. God is offended at the injustices that take place in sacred places and will not stand for any expression of religion that does not advance His demand for justice and righteousness. This vision might distress and disturb us because it prompts us to consider if our mission and witness are in line with God’s vision of justice.

As we look at the world around us today and think about the magnitude of God’s coming judgment on the earth, our tendence is to cry out, “Forgive, Lord! Stop! Human beings are so fragile and weak!” just as Amos did. When we consider the extent and depth of human sin from God’s perspective-and especially when we remember that God issues judgment only after humanity has refused His mercies-then we can better understand why God must judge those who reject Him. 

Amos’ confrontation with Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, leaves no doubt in his mind about God’s purpose in judging Israel. When Amos told Israel about the vision of the plumb line and especially about the implications for the destruction of the sanctuaries and the sword against King Jeroboam II, Amos’ opposition was sealed in determination to get rid of him. Amaziah had been waiting for this moment. Amos had gone too far this time. He not only threatened the high priest’s position but had made a treasonous threat against the king. Amos was told to go back to where he came from. Amaziah and Jeroboam did not want to hear what Amos said because Amos threatened their positions. Amaziah was a priest, but his authority came from King Jeroboam, and not from God. Amaziah was more interested in Jeroboam’s security than the truth of God’s word

Amos upset the status quo. Jeroboam II and his kingdom were enjoying a time of great power and prosperity. The Israelites assumed their privilege and affluence were signs of God’s blessings to them as the chosen people. They had forgotten their suffering as slaves in Egypt. They were free from the influence and harassment of neighboring superpowers, but they neglected to share the fruits of their prosperity with the poor. Their religious observance was disconnected from their social ethics and did not include social justice.

Jeroboam tried to make his own truth, just like some leaders do that these days, especially Donald Trump and some American politicians. It might seem effective from their viewpoint, but it can’t hold up against the One who knows all things.

Jeroboam and his kingdom might seem to be prospering, but God said that they are not measuring up. God said that if they did not get their act together they would soon collapse. Their lack of concern for justice in the community, along with their rejection and abuse of the poor of the land, will lead to their destruction. God is telling us the same thing today. If our lives are not in line with His standards, we will suffer.

Amaziah met his match in Amos. He was an excellent debater. He deflated Amaziah’s accusations. Amos was there by God’s authority, not by his own. He did not claim to be a professional prophet.

All of us know people like Amaziah. They are master manipulators and power brokers. They will use people against one another to get their own way. Many of those who suffer from this spiritual malady claim to be religious, but they do not know God or have a deep communion with Him.

A plumb line pictures God’s careful evaluation of the hearts and behaviour of His people. Sometimes He delivers His defiant people up to Satan. Before we single out people who are like Amaziah, we must look at our own lives. How might we have responded to Amos’s visions, especially the plumb line? The only sure antidote to the Amaziah complex is to let the plumb line fall on our lives every day in honest, open prayer.

In a time when we want to hear that we are loved by a loving and caring God, Amos’ message of God’s anger is hardly what any of us want to hear. What to do with Him? We must make a place for him today. His uncompromising demands for justice and his unwillingness to allow worship to cover over our unwillingness to care for the poor and needy in this world are themes that never go out of style.

We need to do what is right, love it passionately, and repent of the sinful ways that rage against God and His plans for our lives. The gospel can still get through to us and call us back to our better selves as re-created in Christ. We won’t be tempted to tell the prophets who speak the truth to shut up. It is we who must shut up so that we can hear the Good News.

(An audio version of this message can be found at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/amos-7-verses-7-17-god-s-plumb-line–66955890)

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1185)
2. Ogilvie, L.J. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 22: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1990; pp. 348-354)
3. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible; New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles;2005)
4. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 1227-1229)
5. Anne Stewart, “Commentary on Amos 7:7-17.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org
6. Doug Bratt, “Amos 7:7 Commentary.” Retrieved from https://cepreaching.org/authors/doug-bratt/
7. Scott Hoezee, “Amos 7:7 Commentary.” Retrieved from https://cepreaching.org/authors/scott-hoezee/
8. Gine Burkhart, “Hearing Critical Words.” Retrieved from newsletter@christiancentury.org