Sharper Iron — The Day Is Surely Drawing Near: Amos’ Vision of the Plumb Line

Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Grassy Butte, ND and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Belfield, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Amos 7:7-9.

Amos’ visions take a turn with the third one. In the vision of the plumb line, the LORD begins to make clear that His patience has reached its end. Although the Hebrew word often translated “plumb line” provides difficulty, the explanation that the LORD gives to Amos provide clarity. He promises that He will never pass by them again; the time of mercy is over. That the LORD’s patience has reached its end is a serious matter. His patience results as a working out of His faithfulness to His promises in the midst of our sinfulness. Yet sinners never dare think, as Israel did, that His patience has no end. Since His Word is true, His patience must end. Judgment of sin and evil must come. Israel has reached this point in Amos’ prophecy. The LORD has called again and again for them to repent, and they have refused. The LORD announces, therefore, that their syncretistic worship sites will be destroyed, and even the prosperous reign of Jeroboam will come to a violent end. This matter is one of great importance for us as Christians. We dare not continue in our sin as if Christ has not died for us. He has died and risen for our sin; therefore, we flee from that sin and flee to Him now, today, which remains the day of salvation.

“The Day Is Surely Drawing Near” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the book of Amos. This Old Testament prophet speaks the LORD’s roaring Word in order to call us first to repentance over our idolatry and injustice and second to faith in the Messiah in the line of David, Jesus Christ. Only through faith in Him will we stand forgiven and redeemed on the coming Day of the LORD.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Amos 7:7-9

⁷This 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. ⁸And 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;
⁹the 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.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).