If you are handy or know a skilled carpenter, then you may be familiar with a plumb line. It is a weight suspended from a string, used to determine an exact vertical alignment on a wall. It’s a great tool for hanging pictures or shelves so they are perfectly spaced.

In the book of Amos, God spoke to the prophet about His people, Israel and Judah straying from the plumb line. Amos’ message was one of indictment. The people failed to measure up. God had chosen Israel as His privileged people, made a covenant with them, delivered them out of slavery in Egypt, and given them His Law.

Centuries earlier, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and other ordinances to follow and in Exodus 24, the covenant of the Law was inaugurated. Moses told the people all of the Lord’s words and laws and they responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said.”

But they didn’t.

Their religion was a sham and Amos was called to pronounce judgment on God’s people for their idolatry, complacency, and oppression of the poor. His law was meant as a blessing for Israel, not a burden—to enable them to live happy, holy, peaceful, and prosperous lives.

The same is true for us today. The world is dark and secular but we can choose to walk in the life-giving light of Jesus. We can look to His word and His work on the cross and find forgiveness and redemption for our sins. Or we can go the way of our flesh, ignore His promises and precepts, and suffer the consequences of our choices.

Either way, He has given us a plumb line. How do we measure up? We can seek good, not evil, that we may live (Amos 5:24) or forget God’s faithfulness and all He has done for us and walk in rebellion as Israel did.

God knows our tendencies to stray from His standards, yet He is merciful. He waits patiently for us to return to an accurate understanding of His word. May we read it, ponder it, and live according to His truths.

“I have considered my ways…I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” Psalm 119: 59-60.