Measured Against The Plumb Line

Have you ever seen a plumb line? Simply, it’s a string with a heavy weight tied to one end of it. A bricklayer will hang a plumb line beside a wall that’s under construction, to see if the wall is being built vertical and true. If things are out of kilter, then he’ll be able to see it right away: the line tells him so.

In the seventh chapter of Amos the LORD has a plumb line in his hand, and he’s standing beside a wall. He’s going to test it, and see if it’s built right. But this is no wall of bricks and mortar, it’s his covenant people. He says to Amos in 7:8, “I am setting a plumb line in the midst of them.” They are “the wall” that God has raised up in his power and grace. Which means that they also have to receive his scrutiny. He’s the master builder, and God wants to know: Do they measure up? Are they standing upright? The line doesn’t lie.

What do you suppose that plumb line represents? What’s the standard by which God tests the character of his people? If you thought of the commandments, you’d be right. This is the enduring rule for personal faith and for church life. When you’re set beside the Word of the Lord, it quickly reveals if you’re standing true, or not.

God had built his people to be firm and solid. But they haven’t conformed to the Architect’s plan. Israel’s life and religion are completely self-focused, so they’re tilting badly toward sin. They’re like the Tower of Pisa, they’re so obviously leaning in one direction. This is what the plumb line reveals. So God is seeing how far Israel needs to be pulled down. This tottering wall will be no more—at least, not in its present form. God has to rebuild.

We’re tested every day by that same Word of God. Are we continuing upright in the ways of the Lord? Are we inclined towards all kinds of sin, or are we striving to be true to the Lord? The Word of God tests us, every time that we read it, every time we hear it. Also today we’re tested. The Lord announces through his prophet Amos:

God won’t lift his punishment from those who keep doing evil:

1) a warning against greed

2) a warning against adultery

3) a warning against false worship

1) a warning against greed: We don’t mind it if other people are getting into trouble. The children probably know about this: when the teacher’s getting mad at the kids in the back of the classroom, then everyone else breathes easy—the attention is on someone else. Yet things can quickly change. That’s what happened for Israel. In chapter 1 and the first part of chapter 2, Amos had brought a message to the nations. He pronounces God’s judgment on Syria, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab.

One by one, the nations are called out for their violence and cruelty. All the while you imagine Judah and Israel sitting back with a smug smile. But now it’s their turn, beginning in 2:4. It’s safe to say that this came as a shock! As God’s people, they expected protection, maybe immunity from judgment. Weren’t they his possession?

They certainly were, which meant they were also more accountable. God is always stricter with his own children, because we’re his—God’s children should know better! So Amos speaks at length about Israel’s sin. “Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment’” (2:6). That’s been his refrain since chapter 1, “For three transgressions, and for four…” Each time the prophet lists a number of sins, but it’s just a sampling. The prophet is inviting the people to reflect on it further: What else can be added to this list? Much more than three or four—there’s sins too numerous to count!

But for Israel, so much of their transgression comes back to one core issue. Here and throughout Amos, God is concerned with justice. The Israelites weren’t treating each other rightly, but they were taking advantage of each other. They were ignoring the second greatest commandment for “They sell the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals” (v 6).

At first glance, it’s surprising that this was the case. For in Israel it was actually a time of prosperity. Egypt had faded, and for now the Assyrian threat had subsided, so the people were free and clear. Right now the king of the northern kingdom (Israel) was Jeroboam II, and he’d been able to enlarge the borders and strengthen the nation. The land was enjoying a good season.

But with blessing always comes responsibility. For God’s gifts there must be gratitude. And one thing that He always commands is that his people help the weak and needy, that we look after those who might be lacking in basic material things. Those who are poor, the widows and orphans should always be special objects of our care and concern. And this goes back to the character of the LORD. As the Father is merciful and compassionate, so we his children need to be: merciful to the weak, compassionate towards the sick and needy.