Amo 7:8 | KingComments | STEP | When the LORD asks questions, He does so to involve us in His actions. He wants to give us insight in this, so that we can see that He is acting righteously and we will agree with His actions. By involving us He can also include us in His plans. He wants us to understand Him in His actions. Asking questions forces the other person to observe attentively and often also to think. Amos is not asked if he knows what it means. He gets the explanation, without us hearing his question. If someone looks attentively at God’s actions, he will certainly be curious about the reason for them. Jeremiah and Zechariah are also asked what they see ( ; ). After their answers the LORD also tells them the meaning of what they see. To the question of what Amos sees, he could have answered: ‘You’, or: ‘A wall’. But he answers: “A plumb line.” That is what it is all about. The plumb line is a piece of plumb on a line that one hangs next to or in front of a structure to see if it is erected perpendicularly. In a figurative sense it is used here to demonstrate the precision, the exactness of the judgment of Israel ( ; ). The wall is perpendicular, the plumb line indicates that. God’s work on Israel is perfect. Now the plumb line is placed in the midst of Israel. The plumb line indicates that a perfectly straight measure is applied to show their iniquities, so that the deviation will have to be acknowledged by everyone. God has an unchangeable standard to test the spiritual sincerity of His people. The measure by which the life of the people is measured is the law. The plumb line is held next to everything the people do. After demonstrating the deviations, further delay would give the impression that God does not take sin seriously. Amos sees that by placing the plumb line the Lord is cutting off the way to further intercession. The judgment is established and will now be carried out. God’s decision is certain: “I will spare them no longer”, literally “I will pass him by no longer” as He did in Egypt (cf. ). In Egypt God has passed by forgiving because of the blood on the doorposts ( ). But now God’s patience has come to an end.

‏ Amos 7:8

The Plumb Line

When the LORD asks questions, He does so to involve us in His actions. He wants to give us insight in this, so that we can see that He is acting righteously and we will agree with His actions. By involving us He can also include us in His plans. He wants us to understand Him in His actions. Asking questions forces the other person to observe attentively and often also to think.

Amos is not asked if he knows what it means. He gets the explanation, without us hearing his question. If someone looks attentively at God’s actions, he will certainly be curious about the reason for them. Jeremiah and Zechariah are also asked what they see (Jer 1:11 ; 13; Zec 4:2 ; Zec 5:2). After their answers the LORD also tells them the meaning of what they see.

To the question of what Amos sees, he could have answered: ‘You’, or: ‘A wall’. But he answers: “A plumb line.” That is what it is all about. The plumb line is a piece of plumb on a line that one hangs next to or in front of a structure to see if it is erected perpendicularly. In a figurative sense it is used here to demonstrate the precision, the exactness of the judgment of Israel (2Kgs 21:13; Isa 34:11).

The wall is perpendicular, the plumb line indicates that. God’s work on Israel is perfect. Now the plumb line is placed in the midst of Israel. The plumb line indicates that a perfectly straight measure is applied to show their iniquities, so that the deviation will have to be acknowledged by everyone. God has an unchangeable standard to test the spiritual sincerity of His people. The measure by which the life of the people is measured is the law. The plumb line is held next to everything the people do.

After demonstrating the deviations, further delay would give the impression that God does not take sin seriously. Amos sees that by placing the plumb line the Lord is cutting off the way to further intercession. The judgment is established and will now be carried out. God’s decision is certain: “I will spare them no longer”, literally “I will pass him by no longer” as He did in Egypt (cf. Amos 5:17). In Egypt God has passed by forgiving because of the blood on the doorposts (Exo 12:13). But now God’s patience has come to an end.