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 t...
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.
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