Amos 7 begins with three visions, and each of them has to do with judgment. First, the prophet sees a swarm of locusts being prepared by God to bring total devastation upon the crops of Israel. Next, he sees the LORD calling for the fires of judgment to absolutely devour their land. Locust swarms and wildfires were the two worst enemies of agricultural societies in the ancient world. So Amos twice pleads with the LORD to show mercy, and both times his intercession proves effective. The LORD relents and Israel is spared (v 1-6). But never should it be imagined that God’s patience and compassion will cancel out His righteous judgment. Many people like to think that a loving God is bound to forgive us, as if that’s His job! But anyone who does much Bible reading will understand this is not the case. God is not indifferent to evil, and sooner or later, His justice must come. Though two judgments have been averted because of the prophet’s prayers, God’s patience is running out. To highlight this truth, Amos is given a third vision. This time he sees a plumb line, which is basically a string with a weight attached. When the string is held up, the weight is pulled directly down by gravity, and the result is a true vertical. When God is seen standing by a wall with a plumb line in His hand, this means He is about to check Israel to see if the nation is as upright as it claims to be. Of course, having read the first six chapters of the book, we know there is not a chance they will pass this test. The people have deviated from the standard of God’s law, inclining their hearts to disobedience. God particularly notes the corruption of Israel’s state religion (“high places” and “sanctuary”), along with the royal government (“the house of Jeroboam”). Both institutions are measured by the plumb line and found wanting (v 7-9). Wicked King Jeroboam II brought economic prosperity and political stability to the northern kingdom. So Amaziah, chief priest of the Bethel shrine, has wrongly concluded that God is pleased with the nation. As an outspoken critic of Amos’ ministry, Amaziah can see no reason why a true prophet would warn this nation of divine judgment or call them to repentance. But far from taking it as an insult that he lacked professional standing, Amos takes it as a badge of honor. He is not paid to say what he is saying, but does so only at the LORD’s command and by His authority. When Amaziah banishes Amos from Bethel, Amos counters by pronouncing a curse on Amaziah and his family. The terrible punishments foreshadow the divine judgment that is in store for the entire nation. God has been very patient, but the end is near (v 10-17). For further meditation: