Amos and God’s Plumb Line Text: Amos 7:7-8
Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. 8 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 not pass by them anymore.
There are many synonyms for God’s word such as the Bible, Cannon, Manuscripts, Sword of the Spirit, Fire, Hammer, Manna, Truth, Bread of life, Love Letter, Two Edged Sword, Book of Life, Torah, Pentateuch,Tanakh, but today I want to look at the synonym ‘Plumb line!’ Amos has three visions 1. Grasshoppers destroying the land. ( Amos’ prayer changed this.) 2. Fire destroying the land. ( Amos’ prayer changed this.) 3. A plumb line in the hands of God. ( Amos didn’t pray.)
What is a plumb line? and What is it used for? A plumb line is a metal weight on the end of a string which is used to determine if a wall under construction is vertical or not!
A little boy came up to his mother one day and said to her, “Mother, guess what! I’m eight feet, four inches tall!” His mother, greatly surprised, inquired into the matter and found he was using a six-inch ruler to measure a “foot.” The boy was actually only a few inches over four feet. This is exactly what we do; We measure ourselves by one another, an imperfect prototype, rather than by the standard of the Word of God!
If someone were to try to build a wall without a plumb line, the wall would probably deviate off the vertical to some extent and thus have insufficient structural integrity!
In this text God is speaking through the prophet Amos about the condition of the corporate heart of His people. The word ‘wall’ in the Old Testament is often described as the human heart. The Lord now seems to stand upon this wall. (Heart) He measures it; it appears to be a bowing, bulging wall. The structure, the shrines and the dynasty will fall!
Again, the plumb line symbolizes God’s word! God’s word is always straight, perfect and pure! God’s word represents total soundness and integrity!
Hebrews 4: 12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Remember, every person will give an account to the plumb line! II Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” ( King Asa decided to trust in a perverted ‘Plumb Line!’)
Illustration: Show a plumb line use on a straight plain, and then use the same plumb line on a crooked plain.
I believe it would be better for a person not to use a plumb line than to use a perverted plumb line! II Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
Satan has at least a three fold purpose: 1. To distort the image of who God has created you to be. 2. To drive you out of the place that God has called you to dwell. 3. To steal your inheritance! ( Say, “I don’t want to miss my season!”)
This is a simple word but you need to hear it- “Satan wants to mess you up!” One man once said, “Sin will soon make a great people small!”
Ephesian 1:3-7 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
God loves you, blessed you, He’s chosen you, accepted you, redeemed you, you are holy and without fault in his eyes, you’ve been adopted into His family, and He has forgiven you!
God has His hand on you! God has called you to be authentic. The word ‘authentic’ comes from the Greek word “to author.” (You are to read God’s word and write your story accordingly!)
Satan’s message of identity for you is, “You’re worthless, You’re a mistake and you are a nobody!” Satan’s destiny for you say’s, “you have no purpose, you are a total failure and you’re never be a success!”
God’s message of identity and destiny is something like this: He identifies you as very valuable, you are a somebody and you do belong here! His destiny for you is He has a great purpose for you, you are successful, you are fruitful, you are gifted and you are completely adequate!
Every leader in the house raise your hand. Your primary role in life is like the priest or the Father! You are to pronounce “a blessing” on your family daily and as you do, you will be blessed!
Isaiah 28:16-17 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “ Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. 17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place.
Allowing Jesus Christ to become your only plumb line will guarantee you great rewards!
Sources:
NLT
NKJ
Craig Hill / Ancient Paths
Matthew Henry Commentary
Dakes Commentary
Sermon by Sermon Central Contributor: The Plumb Line by
Damian Phillips
