PLUMB LINES
Show a perfectly vertical line
Give a reference point for alignment
Prevent structural damage from uneven weight distribution
In the book of Amos, the plumb line represents God’s righteous standard by which we are measured
“Burdensome or Burden Bearer”
A native of Tekoa in the hill country of Judah, Amos was called away from his southern homeland to prophesy chiefly
in the northern kingdom of Israel.
He was a shepherd and farmed
sycamore-fig trees (Amos 7:14)
Prophesied during reigns of Uzziah (Amaziah) in Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel in the mid 8th century B.C.
AMOS
Written at a time in Israel’s history where they were militarily strong
and very prosperous.
The problem with Israel was that they had become idolatrous and ritualistic in worship and social injustices ran amuck, with the rich taking full advantage of the desperation of the poor.
Amos was sent from Judah to Israel to declare God’s judgment
AMOS
“I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. 15 But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16 Now therefore hear the word of the Lord.
Amos 7:14-15
God doesn’t always
choose by resumé.
He looks for availability
The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Amos 1:1
JUDGMENT AGAINST ISRAEL’S ENEMIES
JUDGMENT AGAINST ISRAEL’S ENEMIES
JUDAH
Despised the law of the Lord
Not kept the commandments
Pursued lies . . . Again.
All these nations’ actions would be tested by fire.
(1 Cor 3:13-15; 1 Peter 1:6-7)
“I will not revoke
the punishment"
Amos 1:3,6,9,11,13; 2:1,4
We LOVE it when the plumb line is dropped on our adversaries
Our obsession with the sins of our enemies can distract us from the
VERTICAL MISALIGNMENT
OF OUR OWN LIVES
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Israel, and for four,
I will not revoke the punishment
Amos 2:6
ISRAEL’S OFFENSES
They sold out the poor. 2:6
They trampled the helpless. 2:7
ISRAEL’S OFFENSES
Their total disregard for sexual purity deeply disrespected and profaned God’s name. 2:7
ISRAEL’S OFFENSES
The wealthy took clothing as security for their debts, used illegal fines to buy wine, and engaged in pagan worship with both. 2:8
If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to Me, I will hear,
for I am compassionate.
Exodus 22:26-27
ISRAEL’S OFFENSES
They forgot God’s deliverance in Egypt. Prophets were told to prophesy no more and Nazirites were forced to drink wine. 2:9-12
Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt:
2 “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Amos 3:1-2
It feels “just” for Israel to get what is coming to them
ISRAEL’S PUNISHMENT
ISRAEL’S PUNISHMENT
ISRAEL’S PUNISHMENT
The wealthy women of Samaria, referred to as the "cows of Bashan” for growing fat off abusing the poor, will face a brutal, degrading captivity, dragged away with hooks.
GOD HAD TRIED MANY TIMES TO COMPEL THEIR RETURN
Famine: 4:6
Severe Drought: 4:7-8
Crop Destruction: 4:9
Plagues & Military Deaths: 4:10
“yet you did not return to me”
Are we guilty of “enjoying” the moment,
dismissing the warnings of coming consequences?
“Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
Amos 4:12
Remember: God’s Judgment is
meant to bring about Righteousness.
JUSTICE IS COMING.
BUT HIS HEART CALLS US TO REPENTANCE
“SEEK ME AND LIVE.”
Amos 5:5,6
Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. 15 Hate evil, and love good and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
Amos 5:14-15
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals I will not look upon them.23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:21-24
Israel had made a habit of ritual, but not of true worship
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;
9 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.”
Amos 7:8-9
Up against the plumb line
of God’s righteousness,
ISRAEL WAS FOUND
TO BE OUT OF LINE.
GOD’S PUNISHMENT
IS MEANT FOR
OUR RESTORATION
WHAT IF GOD
SET HIS PLUMB LINE
AGAINST YOUR LIFE?
HAVE WE PREACHED A POWERFUL GOSPEL BUT REFUSED HELP TO THE POOR?
HAVE WE OFFERED UP WORSHIP THAT WAS ROUTINE, BUT UNINSPIRED?
HOW DO OUR MORALS
MEASURE AGAINST
GOD’S STANDARDS?
HAVE YOU IGNORED
THE WARNINGS,
THE GUILT YOU FEEL?
AMOS 9:11-15; Acts 15:12-17
RESTORATION IS FOUND
IN DAVID’S LINE
AMOS 9:11-15; Acts 15:12-17
RESTORATION IS FOUND
IN DAVID’S LINE
A PERFECT “PLUMB LINE”
JESUS CHRIST