AMOS 7:7-9: THE CERTAINTY OF GOD'S JUDGMENT

AMOS 7:7-9: THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S JUDGMENT

            We are living in uncertain times, not uncertain because of financial instability but because of the vast sin in our culture that is sure to bring the judgment of God. We make light of the judgment of God and consider people to speak of it to be crazy. The fact is, however, that God does and will judge sin; he will not stand for it. The prophet, Amos, prophesied primarily to the northern kingdom of Israel but also to the southern kingdom of Judah, and like our current society, God’s judgment was certain on theirs. Because of that, there are some conclusions that we must draw from Amos’ prophesy in Amos 7:7-9.

Amos 7:7-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁷ This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built 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 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.”

We Are Seeing Signs of God’s Judgment for Sin (vv. 7-8a)

            Like Amos, we are currently seeing signs of God’s judgment upon our society. When asked what he saw, Amos responded to God by saying that he saw God standing beside a wall with a plumb line, a measuring instrument if you will. Most people interpret this to mean Israel being judged to see if they measure up to God’s standard.[1] The obvious answer is no since no one measures up to God’s standard. Others, however, interpret this image by realizing that the word, “plumb,” closely resembles the Accadian word for “tin.” Therefore many scholars render this a wall of tin, symbolizing military capability, specifically pointing to the source of military power that the Lord would use to judge Israel. Whatever the case, the fact is that the signs of judgment were there. Israel did not measure up to the Lord’s standards, and therefore, God was going to judge them.

            We also live in a time where the signs of God’s judgment are present. The most obvious sign of God’s judgment is the fact that he is allowing rampant sin to take place. On scripture, before God judged a people, he always allowed them to do things their way. That is what he is doing in our society. This means that judgment is sure to come.

God’s Judgment Will Be Confirmed (vv. 8b-9)

            We should also realize from this passage that God’s judgment will be confirmed as it was with Amos. Once Amos told God what he saw, God then told Amos that he was indeed measuring Israel and that he would judge the people. This was confirmation of God’s judgment and God was going to use Amos to preach and tell of the coming judgment. God has chosen people today to foretell of his coming judgment; yet people do not listen and write those chosen by God off. We have been given confirmation that God’s judgment is certain so why do we refuse to acknowledge the warnings? Perhaps it is pride; perhaps it is naivety; or even worse perhaps it is because we just don’t care.

            Let us take precaution and observe the warning signs. God’s judgment is coming.

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[1] ESV Study Bible.