The Vision of the Plumb Line
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Topical Encyclopedia
Biblical Reference:
The Vision of the Plumb Line is found in the Book of Amos, specifically in Amos 7:7-9. This vision is one of several prophetic visions given to Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, who was called by God to prophesy to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II.

Context and Background:
Amos was a prophet during a time of relative peace and prosperity in Israel, yet it was also a period marked by social injustice, idolatry, and moral decay. The Northern Kingdom, though outwardly successful, was spiritually bankrupt. God sent Amos to deliver a message of impending judgment due to the nation's unfaithfulness and corruption.

The Vision Explained:
In the vision, Amos sees the Lord standing by a wall built true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand. The plumb line is a tool used by builders to ensure that structures are vertically straight. The imagery of the plumb line signifies God's standard of righteousness and justice.

Scripture Passage (Amos 7:7-9):
"This is what He showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand. 'Amos, what do you see?' asked the Lord. 'A plumb line,' I replied. 'Behold,' said the Lord, 'I am setting a plumb line among My people Israel; I will no longer spare them: the high places of Isaac will be deserted, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste; I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with My sword.'"

Symbolism and Interpretation:
The plumb line represents God's divine standard against which Israel is measured. The vision indicates that Israel is not aligned with God's righteous standards and is therefore subject to judgment. The wall, initially built true to plumb, symbolizes the nation of Israel, which was established with God's laws and commandments. However, the current state of the nation reveals a deviation from these divine principles.

The declaration that God will "no longer spare them" underscores the seriousness of Israel's transgressions. The impending judgment is further emphasized by the mention of the high places and sanctuaries, which were centers of idolatrous worship, being laid waste. The reference to the "house of Jeroboam" signifies the downfall of the ruling dynasty due to its failure to lead the people in accordance with God's covenant.

Theological Implications:
The Vision of the Plumb Line serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and the necessity for His people to live in accordance with His standards. It highlights the inevitability of divine judgment when a nation persistently turns away from God's commandments. The vision also reflects the prophetic role of Amos as a voice calling for repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.

Relevance for Today:
For contemporary believers, the Vision of the Plumb Line is a call to self-examination and alignment with God's Word. It challenges individuals and communities to assess their spiritual integrity and commitment to justice and righteousness. The vision serves as a warning against complacency and the dangers of straying from God's path, urging a return to a life that reflects His character and commands.
Subtopics

Vision

Vision of Abraham: Concerning his Descendants

Vision of Amos of a Plumb-Line

Vision of Amos of Fire

Vision of Amos of Grasshoppers

Vision of Amos of Summer Fruit

Vision of Amos of the Temple

Vision of Ananias of Christ

Vision of Balaam in a Trance

Vision of Cornelius, the Centurion of an Angel

Vision of Daniel of the Ancient of Days

Vision of Daniel of the Angel

Vision of Daniel of the Four Beasts

Vision of Daniel of the Ram and the He-Goat

Vision of David of the Angel of the Lord Beside the Threshing-Floor of Ornan

Vision of Elisha: At the Transporting of Elijah

Vision of Elisha's Servant of the Chariots of the Lord

Vision of Ezekiel of the City and Temple

Vision of Ezekiel of the Coals of Fire

Vision of Ezekiel of the Dry Bones

Vision of Ezekiel of the Glory of God

Vision of Ezekiel of the Man of Fire

Vision of Ezekiel of the Roll

Vision of Ezekiel of the Waters

Vision of Isaiah of the Lord and his Glory in the Temple

Vision of Isaiah of the Valley of Vision

Vision of Jacob of the Ladder With Ascending and Descending Angels

Vision of Jacob: At Beer-Sheba

Vision of Jeremiah of an Almond Rod

Vision of Jeremiah of the Seething Pot

Vision of Job of a Spirit

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos of Christ and the Golden Lampstands

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: A Rainbow and the Throne

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: A Son of Man With a Sickle

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: Death and Hell (Gehenna)

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: One-Third of the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars Were Darkened

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: Satan Bound for One-Thousand Years

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Coming out of the Temple

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Having Power Over Fire

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Having the Everlasting Gospel

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel in the Sun

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Proclaiming the Fall of Babylon

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Reaping the Harvest

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel That had a Book

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angels With the Seven Last Plagues

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Army of Horsemen

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast Coming out of the Earth

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast Rising out of the Sea

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast That Came up out of the Bottomless Pit

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Book With Seven Seals

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Bottomless Pit

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Censer

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Court of the Gentiles

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Destruction of Babylon

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Earthquake and the Celestial Phenomena

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Fall of the City

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Falling Star

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Angels

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Angels Released from the Euphrates River

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Horses

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Living Creatures

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Golden Vials

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Great White Throne

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Hail and Fire

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Lamb on Mount Zion

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Locusts

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Measurement of the Temple

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Mountain That Was Thrown Into the Sea

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Multitude Praising

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The New Jerusalem

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The One Who is Faithful and True, Riding a White Horse

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Open Door

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Opening of the Book of Life

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Plague Upon the Men Who had the Mark of the Beast

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Red Dragon

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The River of Life

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sea of Glass

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sea Turned Into Blood

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sealing of the One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Second and Third Woes

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seven Angels With the Seven Vials of the Wrath of God

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seven Lamps

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seven Thunders

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seventh Seal and the Seven Angels

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Six Seals

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Temple Opened

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Thrones of Judgment

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Tree of Life

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Twenty-Four Elders

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Two Olive Trees and the Two Lampstands

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Two Witnesses

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Vine and the Winepress

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The War in Heaven

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Woman Clothed With the Sun

Vision of John the Baptist: At the Immersion of Jesus

Vision of Joshua of the Captain of the Lord's Army

Vision of Micaiah of the Defeat of the Israelites; of the Lord on his Throne; and of a Lying Spirit

Vision of Moses of the Burning Bush

Vision of Moses of the Glory of God

Vision of Paul in a Trance

Vision of Paul in Corinth

Vision of Paul of a Man of Macedonia, Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia, and Help Us"

Vision of Paul of Ananias

Vision of Paul of Christ, on the Way to Damascus

Vision of Paul of Paradise

Vision of Peter of the Sheet Which Was Lowered from the Sky

Vision of Stephen of Christ

Vision of the Israelites of the Manifestation of the Glory of God

Vision of the People of the Tongues of Fire at Pentecost

Vision of Zacharias in the Temple

Vision of Zechariah of Horns and Carpenters

Vision of Zechariah of Horses

Vision of Zechariah of the Flying Roll

Vision of Zechariah of the Golden Lampstand

Vision of Zechariah of the High Priest

Vision of Zechariah of the Mountains and Chariots

Vision: A Mode of Revelation

Vision: Peter, James, and John of the Transfiguration of Jesus and the Appearance of Moses and Elijah

Related Terms

Night-visions (2 Occurrences)

Dreams (34 Occurrences)

Four (3139 Occurrences)

Dreamer (4 Occurrences)

Vision (106 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Iddo (14 Occurrences)

Mahazioth (2 Occurrences)

Creature (73 Occurrences)

Chebar (8 Occurrences)

Appear (111 Occurrences)

Alarming (3 Occurrences)

Affrighted (60 Occurrences)

Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)

Alarmed (28 Occurrences)

Seer (21 Occurrences)

Dream (82 Occurrences)

Glory (590 Occurrences)

Literature (2 Occurrences)

Substance (99 Occurrences)

Apocalyptic

Cloud (119 Occurrences)

Divine (39 Occurrences)

Amos (12 Occurrences)

Prophecy (37 Occurrences)

Prophets (270 Occurrences)

Records (50 Occurrences)

Fourth (87 Occurrences)

Zechariah (55 Occurrences)

Prophesy (96 Occurrences)

Fearful (73 Occurrences)

Prophesied (57 Occurrences)

Sovereign (209 Occurrences)

Revelation (52 Occurrences)

Daniel (74 Occurrences)

Mankind (80 Occurrences)

Esdras

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Night-vision (2 Occurrences)

Nightwatch

Unveiler (4 Occurrences)

Unhallowed (3 Occurrences)

Unspiritual (6 Occurrences)

Underfoot (14 Occurrences)

Oracles (8 Occurrences)

Jadon (1 Occurrence)

Jedo (1 Occurrence)

Located (5 Occurrences)

Locks (29 Occurrences)

Lock (6 Occurrences)

Gateway (40 Occurrences)

Whitewash (7 Occurrences)

Whited (7 Occurrences)

Watcher (2 Occurrences)

Imaginings (1 Occurrence)

Idle (33 Occurrences)

Final (16 Occurrences)

Fantasies (4 Occurrences)

Frighten (15 Occurrences)

Fancies (3 Occurrences)

Frightening (4 Occurrences)

Thirtieth (9 Occurrences)

Throne (181 Occurrences)

Trance (7 Occurrences)

Terrifiest (1 Occurrence)

Terrify (27 Occurrences)

Troubleth (12 Occurrences)

Revealeth (9 Occurrences)

Revealer (4 Occurrences)

Reveals (14 Occurrences)

Revelations (2 Occurrences)

Elihu (11 Occurrences)

Employment (5 Occurrences)

Extremely (15 Occurrences)

Enormous (5 Occurrences)

Expedient (8 Occurrences)

Daubed (9 Occurrences)

The Vision of the Night
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