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The Locusts, Fire, and Plumb Line
Amos 7:1-9 shows three visions the Lord gave to Amos: locusts, fire, and a plumb line. The passage teaches through these visions, showing both Amos’s pleas for mercy and the Lord’s clear judgment on Israel.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Amos reports what the Lord Yahweh showed him. The first two visions bring appeals from Amos, and the Lord relents. The third vision includes a question to Amos and a declaration that judgment will now be set in the midst of Israel, with specific consequences named.
Amos 7:1–9Main takeaway
This passage shows that the Lord hears Amos’s pleas for a small and weak people, yet also declares a measured and unavoidable judgment on Israel.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The vision of locustsAmos says the Lord Yahweh showed him locusts forming at a vulnerable time, during the latter growth after the king’s harvest.
Explanation
Amos says the Lord Yahweh showed him locusts forming at a vulnerable time, during the latter growth after the king’s harvest. When the locusts had eaten the grass of the land, Amos pleaded for forgiveness. He asked how Jacob could stand, because Jacob was small. The vision highlights danger and Amos’s intercession.
02The Lord relents, then shows fireAfter Amos’s plea, Yahweh said of the locust judgment, “It shall not be.” Then Amos saw another vision: the Lord Yahweh called for judgment by fire.
Explanation
After Amos’s plea, Yahweh said of the locust judgment, “It shall not be.” Then Amos saw another vision: the Lord Yahweh called for judgment by fire. This fire dried up the great deep and would have devoured the land. Again Amos begged the Lord to stop, repeating that Jacob was small.
03A second relentingThe pattern repeats once more. After Amos’s second appeal, the Lord Yahweh relented concerning this vision too, saying, “This also shall not be.”
Explanation
The pattern repeats once more. After Amos’s second appeal, the Lord Yahweh relented concerning this vision too, saying, “This also shall not be.” These first two visions sit together. Amos prays, and the Lord announces that these shown judgments will not happen in the way Amos has seen them.
04The plumb line and the coming judgmentIn the third vision, the Lord stood beside a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand.
Explanation
In the third vision, the Lord stood beside a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. When Amos identified what he saw, the Lord said he would set a plumb line in the middle of his people Israel and would not again pass by them any more. Then desolation and the sword are named as outcomes.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Amos ask the Lord to forgive or stop in the first two visions?
02What changes between the first two visions and the third vision?
03What results are named after the plumb line is set in the midst of Israel?
Notice the three outcomes listed: the high places become desolate, the sanctuaries are laid waste, and the house of Jeroboam faces the sword.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Amos 7:1–9
1Thus the Lord Yahweh showed me: behold, he formed locusts in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and behold, it was the latter growth after the king’s harvest.
2When they finished eating the grass of the land, then I said, “Lord Yahweh, forgive, I beg you! How could Jacob stand? For he is small.”
3Yahweh relented concerning this. “It shall not be,” says Yahweh.
4Thus the Lord Yahweh showed me: behold, the Lord Yahweh called for judgment by fire; and it dried up the great deep, and would have devoured the land.
5Then I said, “Lord Yahweh, stop, I beg you! How could Jacob stand? For he is small.”
6Yahweh relented concerning this. “This also shall not be,” says the Lord Yahweh.
7Thus he showed me: behold, the Lord stood beside a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand.
8Yahweh said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I will set a plumb line in the middle of my people Israel. I will not again pass by them any more.
9The high places of Isaac will be desolate, the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”