Submitted by Pastor Andy Hart on Wed, 09/01/2010 - 10:46am
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Amos Chapter 7
The Plumb Line
Please read Amos Chapter 7
Overview of the rest of the text
We have gotten to the last three chapters of Amos In these chapters we see that Amos has five visions and receives 5 promises We see a movement from grace to rejection of that grace, to judgment and punishment
We begin with Amos¶ first two visions
The first two visions are of fire and locusts which will come upon the land They are reminiscent of the plagues on Egypt What is interesting is that God¶s mind is changed by Amos praying This happens twice Interesting concept for us which is through prayer, God does change God¶s mind. We also see that Amos can be compassionate and tender which we have never seen before.
The next vision is that of a plumb line
A plumb line is a standard by which a wall¶s vertical trueness is tested. Today we would use a laser level When God measured the people of Israel against the plumb line, he saw that they were crooked. Sort of like if we measured a wall with a level and found out it was crooked So the people of Israel were crooked (sinful)
So what is our plumb line today?
Christ and the teachings of Christ are our plumb line How do our walls stand against this plumb line? What is interesting and reassuring is that Christ helps us straighten our walls
Amaziah
Amaziah is the High Priest at Bethel Remember that Bethel is a holy place desecrated by the Baal religion Amaziah tells the King that Amos is making plans against him. In other words, there is a conspiracy going on Is this true? No!!!
Amaziah¶s Words
What is disturbing is that Amaziah, a priest of God, was not only not alarmed by what God was saying to the people through Amos but also that he was manipulating Amos¶ words Does this sound familiar? In other words, my guess is we have all been in situations where our words have been changed to someone¶s advantage.
Amos¶ Response
I am not a professional prophet At that time in Israel there were schools of prophets where new prophets were trained and tutored by older ones Amos was not in such a school Amos was under God¶s authority
Consequences
The consequences for Amaziah and his family are horrible. So one must be VERY careful in manipulating the voice of God
Amos Chapter 7
The Plumb Line
Please read Amos Chapter 7
Overview of the rest of the text
We have gotten to the last three chapters of Amos In these chapters we see that Amos has five visions and receives 5 promises We see a movement from grace to rejection of that grace, to judgment and punishment
We begin with Amos¶ first two visions
The first two visions are of fire and locusts which will come upon the land They are reminiscent of the plagues on Egypt What is interesting is that God¶s mind is changed by Amos praying This happens twice Interesting concept for us which is through prayer, God does change God¶s mind. We also see that Amos can be compassionate and tender which we have never seen before.
The next vision is that of a plumb line
A plumb line is a standard by which a wall¶s vertical trueness is tested. Today we would use a laser level When God measured the people of Israel against the plumb line, he saw that they were crooked. Sort of like if we measured a wall with a level and found out it was crooked So the people of Israel were crooked (sinful)
So what is our plumb line today?
Christ and the teachings of Christ are our plumb line How do our walls stand against this plumb line? What is interesting and reassuring is that Christ helps us straighten our walls
Amaziah
Amaziah is the High Priest at Bethel Remember that Bethel is a holy place desecrated by the Baal religion Amaziah tells the King that Amos is making plans against him. In other words, there is a conspiracy going on Is this true? No!!!
Amaziah¶s Words
What is disturbing is that Amaziah, a priest of God, was not only not alarmed by what God was saying to the people through Amos but also that he was manipulating Amos¶ words Does this sound familiar? In other words, my guess is we have all been in situations where our words have been changed to someone¶s advantage.
Amos¶ Response
I am not a professional prophet At that time in Israel there were schools of prophets where new prophets were trained and tutored by older ones Amos was not in such a school Amos was under God¶s authority
Consequences
The consequences for Amaziah and his family are horrible. So one must be VERY careful in manipulating the voice of God
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