Recognizing the places where we step out of Gods desire for our lives ultimately leads us to Gods infinite mercy and steadfast love. There is no crookedness or corruption in the Kingdom of Heaven. Can Loved Ones in Heaven Look Down on You? 7 This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. ~ Amos 7:8 NKJV, For who has despised the day of small things? Upon this wall Amos sees the Lord standing. And in case we needed more evidence, in his sermon on the mount, Jesus raised the standard even higher(Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28). (Galatians 5:22-23). While Amos perhaps offers the strongest plumb line reference, there are other Old Testament verses that use the same analogy. Painters and carpenters use plumb lines to make precise vertical lines for their work. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb,with a plumb linein his hand. In defense of the other translations, Strong's dictionary says "plumb line;" HALOT says "lead;" and DCH says "lead, used as weight in plumbline." Translating "plumb line" would be a case of metonymy in which the material stands for something made of the material. Denomination:
Builders know that when a wall falls, it always will fall in the direction in which it is leaning. Due to Israels failure to live true to plumb God brings about the necessary consequences of Israels sinful behavior. Today we use a "level" instead of. We see this in only a few Old Testament passages. Jesus Christ is the precious cornerstone (see Mark 12:10; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6). To distort the image of who God has created you to be. A plumb line is to be referenced and built upon. There are many synonyms for Gods 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. There can be no better foundation on which to build our lives. Was he real? Good morning. We see the phrase "plumb line" in only a few Old Testament passages. Copyright 2022, Bible Study Tools. And I said, A plumbline. In the same way, we should not ignore Gods directions when it comes to establishing our spiritual lives. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. This Bible study devotional covers Amos 7-9. The plumb line physically represented Israels waywardness. This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. 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. The largest reference occurs in the book of Amos. b. As Christians, we cannot discard the plumb line as an outdated metaphor simply because we find it in the Old Testament. This is an assurance of the unmoveable kingdom, with Christ as the foundation. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars. ( King Asa decided to trust in a perverted Plumb Line!). O course! They are to be more than simply what we say we believe. A plumb line utilizes the law of gravity to discover proper angles, reveal the most forthright path from top to bottom, and keep things plumb, or level. Jesus quite specifically taught that he had not come to abolish the Law, but rather to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Are we living out the teachings of the Bible in our lives? "And the Lord asked me, 'What do you see, Amos?' 'A plumb line,' I replied" (Amos 7:8). Open your Bibles with me today to the Old Testament Book of Amos, and chapter 7. And I said, A plumbline. Compare 2 Kings 21:12.Isaiah 28:17; Isaiah 34:11. . 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." He often referred to the Law as the straight line by which we measure our crookedness. Exactly right! Then the Lord said, 'Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.'" Amos, one of the minor prophets, delivered a message from God unto Israel. It was employed by the Lord through Amos to test His people (Amos 7:7, 8), Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. What Does Transgression Mean in the Bible? We build up our spiritual lives when we act upon Christs words in faith and obedience. Paul writes in his second letter to Timothy that All scripture is God-breathed, and is useful to teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.. According to this passage, God is reapplying the plumb line of the Law to display to Amos how far Israel had fallen away from his perfect standard. 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. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? 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. * to indicate a slide change on the corresponding PowerPoint file.] [Editor's Note: This Sermon was preached at Forge Road Bible Chapel, in Perry Hall, MD on 5/20/12. What was the significance of the horns of the altar (Amos 3:14)? Gods word represents total soundness and integrity! 6So the Lord relented concerning this. The wall built with a plumb-line is a figurative representation of the kingdom of God in Israel, as a firm and well-constructed building. "This also shall not be," said the Lord God. Do our lives exhibit the fruits of the Spirit? When the line is held so that the weight can fall freely, an exact vertical measurement can be defined. The Hebrew word is 'anak (). When it comes to constructing a house, you do not want a builder who ignores the vertical plumb. Indeed, we are to take the teachings of Christ Jesus to heart and act upon them, in faith and obedience. In doing so, we are assured that our spiritual life is solid and secure. The Bible is not an instruction manual, nor a compilation of stories and tales. The very Law that served as the foundation of who Israel was. "A plumb line,(O)" I replied. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you(Matthew 6:14). How Should We Read and Interpret Revelation? 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. Then, we will be blessed in all we do. As we practice scriptural standards our lives become transformed; we reflect the glory and the presence of our risen Lord. a plumb line to be sure that when we construct a building. Amos receives a vision of the Lord standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. The Lord explains to Amos that I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer (Amos 7:7-8). in the midst of my people Israel; Wise men accommodate their lives to God's "plumb line" like diligent workers who modify their work according to true vertical and horizontal. The condition of the people was unmistakable. How do Christians interact with this image today? What Does It Mean That We Have "Assurance of Salvation"? a wall that is level. A plumb line is a weight suspended from a string that is used as a vertical . The book of Amos then ends with hope. The epistle of John declares if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Article Images Copyright . Jesus clearly calls us to build our lives upon the foundation of his presence. But you might ask, how does that apply to Christians today? Rob Vertical/Plumb/Plumb Line: 594. Jesus speaks about this in the closing section of his Sermon on the Mount. When you hold the string at the top, the weight makes the. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. It is a source of constant reference and encouragement. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. What Is a Plumb Line? In other words, his patience with Israel was gone and he would bring the judgment upon them that their sin demanded. Amos 7:8 Context. A Vision of a Plumb Line. Reverend Kyle Norman is the Dean of St. Pauls Cathedral, in Kamloops, British Columbia. Amos 7:7-8, Hebrews 4, Ii Chronicles, Ii Corinthians, Isaiah 28:16-17, Sermon Topics:
Christs words are to be incorporated into our lives. 2. He was letting Israel know that he was about to set a plumb line amid the people of Israel. Even today, we can see the standard of Gods law and recognize how we miss the mark. . Gods word represents total soundness and integrity! A little boy came up to his mother one day and said to her, "Mother, guess what! And the Lord replied, "I will test my people with this . Salem Media Group. What does the plumb line represent in the Bible? A plumb line is a weight suspended from a string used as a vertical reference line to ensure a. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? Jesus says. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. It represents a standard by which the faithful need to live, and a measure from which divine judgment is gauged. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you(Ephesians: 4:32). We have seen that already in our word "upright," a synonym of "vertical." What is upright is righteous, and God will judge according to that standard. Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. (Heart) He measures it; it appears to be a bowing, bulging wall. . Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass . The Lord portrays Himself as a builder in Isaiah 28: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation (Isaiah 28:16). In a series of visions, Amos sees Israel's destruction play out five times. Gods word is always straight, perfect and pure! In 2 Kings, it says, I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab(21:13). A plumb line in the hands of God. You may not be aware of it, but it is there. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. (Isaiah 34:11). Discover the meaning and application of a plumb line and why it is used throughout scripture as a representation of God's moral standard. The level is used when aligning wallpaper, building retaining walls, or hanging pictures. Why does Amos keep repeating for three sins . Our spiritual livelihood needs a reference point that is stalwart and stable. A plumb line. What Does it Mean to Redeem the Time Because the Days Are Evil? Given that the plum line appears to be an Old Testament image, we might wonder how useful this image is to Christians. What Does the Bible Say about the Antichrist? Why Are We Told to Take No Thought for Our Lives? Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. And how he, God, would spare them no longer.. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Copyright 2002-2022 Got Questions Ministries. (P) 9 "The high places(Q)of Isaac will be destroyed and the sanctuaries(R)of Israel will be ruined; with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam. It remains true, and all work must line up with it or gamble being crooked. The plumbline, with a plumb bob on the end of it, is used to determine the vertical perfection of a wall. Todays equivalent is the modern level, and it is found in every toolbox or home-improvement kit out there. and What is it used for? They are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth." I'm eight feet, four inches tall!" I shall not spare them any longer. The word wall in the Old Testament is often described as the human heart. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. In this vision Amos sees the Lord standing on a wall - with a plumbline in His hand. ~ Isaiah 34:11 ESV, "Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand." By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another(John 13:35). As a plumb line is not dependent on the thoughts or the convenience of the tradesman, so is Gods moral law not subject to the beliefs of man. Illustration: Show a plumb line use on a straight plain, and then use the same plumb line on a crooked plain. [The door of mercy is shut.] That wall was nothing other than the Law the perfect Law that God had given to Israel through Moses. Scripture directs the life of faith. In fact, whenever scripture mentions a plumb line, we see this reference to oncoming judgment. Is the plumb line, therefore, still a helpful image? And the Lord asked me, "What do you see, Amos?" "A plumb line," I replied. 11 Bible Verses about Plumb Line Most Relevant Verses Amos 7:7-8 Thus He showed me, and behold, the Lord was standing by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand. Shepherd Gods Flock: Equipping Gods People. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash (Matthew 7:24-27). And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what . Gods standards of holiness, righteousness, justice, and love are to be practiced in our lives. After all, we are not bound by law, but rather are saved by grace just as Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians: For it is by graceyou have been saved,through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast(Ephesians 2:8-9). These questions can only be answered if there is a defining source to which we may go a source of guidance and answer, a standard against which we can measure our lives. How Job 13:15 Encourages Us on Our Darkest Days. The plumb line is established by a greater force. and What is it used for? But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 7 This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb,[ a] with a plumb line[ b] in his hand. Will the sun really be turned to darkness and the moon to blood (Joel 2:31). Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Try. Anyone who has done any type of construction knows what a plumb line is. "And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria, and the plumb line of the house of Ahab, and I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down." Amos was to be God's Measure, bringing God's Word as the Truth by which the king and the people should set. even for four in chapters 12? We do not make up the criteria by which things are measured. Again, the plumb line symbolizes Gods word! All rights reserved. His personal blog can be found here. As we compare the two verses of this vision, God identifies the "wall" as "My people Israel." Score: 4.1/5 (71 votes) . What if, however, the presence of a plumb line is meant, not for condemnation, but encouragement? The Truth about Why Men Hate Going to Church. "It will not happen either," said the Lord GOD. 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. Are We Using or Abusing the Gift of Prophecy? . It shows the way back and becomes a tool for our spiritual intimacy with God. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2022, Christianity.com. Everyone needs a plumb line in his or her life -- a reference point to keep us on a path of good and not evil (Amos 5:14) and Amos has shown us that God and His Word are our plumb line. Amos 7:8 | View whole chapter | See verse in context. Nor are they delightful stories to tickle the ears. At its core, a plumb line is a standard against which other things are measured. Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practiceis like a wise man who built his house on the rock. AMOS. Read full chapter Footnotes Heart, Sound, Wall, Integrity, God's Word, Bible Truth, Unlock sermon series kits for every holiday of the year, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, An easy way to discover the key elements of faith, [Advent Series] Jesus is at the hear of it all, [Holiday Series] Strong churches stand together, [Christmas Eve] The night that changed the world. Importantly, we do not create this standard. _THE VISION OF THE PLUMB LINE -- AMOS 7:7-9:_ The third vision was that of the Lord Himself standing on a wall with a plumb line in . Without a plumb line to declare what this looks like, and how this comes about, our spiritual lives are lost. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes. 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! In Amos 5:24, God says, " Let justice roll down like water and righteousness like and ever-flowing stream." Indeed it will. Kyle Norman, "The plumb line is the image of Gods righteous and holy standard that Israel failed to embody in their lives. But these must be more than simply words on a page. 7 a This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with f a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. What Is a Plumb Line in the Bible and What Does it Mean for Christians? Everyone has a plumb line. 8 And the Lord said to me, 'Amos, what do you see?' And I said, 'A plumb-line.' Then the Lord said, 'See, I am setting a plumb-line 3. Then the Lord said, Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer(Amos 7:7-8). plumb line of blessing unbowed by curse, unbent by fear or greed, plumb line seeking, unerring, the center, all creatures' belovedness and belonging, the wellbeing of all Creation. ( Amos prayer changed this.) All rights reserved. He will set us up so that we can seeand He can seehow close we are adhering to godly judgment and right doing. Remember, every person will give an account to the plumb line! Knowledge of a plumb line provides little help if a builder does not act upon it. Furthermore, the phrase plumb line is found in Scripture within multiple contexts. The plumb line then is the image the parable of Gods holy and righteous standard for Israel. Scriptures:
Do I truly love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and all my strength (Luke 10:27)? The great prophet Amos was given a vision of a plumb line which would become the symbol of the standard by which God's people would need to live. Furthermore, if we find that we have erred or strayed, scripture declares the actions to be taken to rediscover Gods loving delight. Does it serve without stealing? A "plumb line" is a string with a weight on the end. Famously the psalmist sings out Your word, O lord, is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (119:105). in the midst of my people Israel; g I will never again pass by . What Does it Mean to Be Doers of the Word? Scripture helps us live true to plumb by uncovering, and inviting us into, Gods loving delight for our lives. Copyright 2003-2022 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. 8 "Amos, what do you see?" asked the LORD. These things arent just to be contemplated; we are to build our lives upon them. As the Lord builds His kingdom, He will ensure it is perfect in every way: I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line (Isaiah 28:17). We are to use his words as our own plumb line. We are called to be the images of God on earth; for our lives to reflect his love and grace to others, as he has done to us. It is because God is faithful, loving, and just that we can be confident in placing our lives before Gods holy standard. What is a plumb line? And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.(Matthew 22:37-40). The Prophet Amos employs the plumb line as a powerful metaphor for justice in society. He was using a plumb line to see if it was still straight. And the Lord asked me, 'What do you see, Amos?' 'A plumb line,' I replied. What is a plumb line? After all, we live under grace, not law. Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. ( Amos prayer changed this.) Greg is an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else in pursuit of truth. The tool is a simple weight tied at the end of a string, which then serves as a guide for the perfect construct of the wall or structure. It represents a standard by which the faithful need to live, and a measure from which divine judgment is gauged. Then to paraphrase James when we use the Bible as the plumb line of our lives; when we apply it in our daily lives; when people look at us and see the reflection of Christ in our lives. Grateful for your companionship on our faith journey. This is not a new understanding. Again, the plumb line symbolizes Gods word! A plumb line in the hands of God. Greg Grandchampis the author of "In Pursuit of Truth, A Journey Begins" an easy-to-read search that answers to most common questions about Jesus Christ. In fact, not only is this image useful for Christians. A plumb line is a great image for the Christian's reliance upon holy scripture. Gravity ensures that the weight hangs perfectly straight, thus allowing a builder to ensure that a structure is vertically aligned. And how does that plumb line apply to Christians today? 2. a line directed to the center of gravity of the earth; a vertical line. It declares Gods loving delight for Gods people and discloses the Lords vision for the human life. All construction workers know that bowed, or leaning walls are not at all secure and are quite easily toppled. To drive you out of the place that God has called you to dwell. How Can I Make a Difference with My Life? A plumb line also called a plummet, is a string with a non-magnetic weight connected to one end. As Amos describes it, God stood next to a wall one which had been built absolutely true to plumb. Proverbs 21:8 says, "The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright." A plumb line would expose anything that is crooked. A plumb line is not about exposing our faults or wretchedness. ~ 2 Kings 21:13 ESV, "And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter." Article Images Copyright 2022 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 2. 2. The Lord now seems to stand upon this wall. To steal your inheritance! ~ Zechariah 4:10 NKJV. Discover the meaning and application of a plumb line and why it is used in the Bible as a representation of God's moral standard. The psalmist says the exact same thing in the heart of the Old Testament.
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